The year was 2008.
Barcelona had just wrapped up their league season, finishing a staggering 18 points behind the eternal enemy, Real Madrid. It was now two years since the club had last lifted a trophy and the questions far outweighed the answers. Fans wanted blood, a thirst that could only be satiated with scorched earth change. As a result, manager Frank Rijkaard was sacked and club icons Ronaldinho and Deco were sold. It was the end of a polarizing era, one that started with so much promise, albeit for not very long.
Club hierarchy decided to hire their next manager from within, promoting the B squad youth manager, Pep Guardiola.