The foundations of the manager's success were built during Frank Rijkaard's tenure, according to the ex-Portugal international
Pep Guardiola was fortunate to inherit a Barcelona team made up of pioneers with a winning ethos, according to former midfielder Deco.
The ex-Portugal international played for the Catalan club between 2004 and 2008, a period of transformation in the club’s fortunes masterminded by manager Frank Rijkaard that saw Barca return to their title-contending form of the late 90s.
The club won successive La Liga titles between 2004 and 2006, as well as a first Champions League trophy since 1992, and Deco believes this lay the foundations for the wild successes of Guardiola’s tenure.