i also don't think its as universal (that is, widely applicable) as you write. it cannot be instituted just 'anywhere'. it requires highly technically proficient players who are also willing to adapt, and a club with the money to sign such players. he could never, say, manage west-ham and succeed with it there.
Well yeah, but given the right, savvy and trophy hungry dudes he can apply it in any league. Mou teaches transition and instills the feeling of consequence of your lack of effort and mistakes, which is contrary to Pep's dogma. That's where I was going here.
BarcaOG said:
what limits it, as i said, is that it can't work just anywhere. it is precisely that style that allowed spain to dominate international football 2008-2014, barca spain and to a lesser and less consistent extent europe (since you are right to say it is less successful in limited-game club cup competitions), bayern germany (i.e. wrapped up the league in record time but i will concede this isnt a particularly significant example since bayern are virtually guaranteed the league anyway) and now city the PL this year (record point differential etc).
It's not surprising it failed in a team where some players would not concede their habits to implement a style, which only really gives them league consistency. It's something they've had already and weren't looking for that. Bayern officials hired him with the aim to make the European domination a yearly occurrence. Which is a bit silly considering Pep didn't get famous by winning cup competitions.
BarcaOG said:
finally, as an added bonus, pep's style is also WAY more enjoyable to watch and more entertaining, which definitely counts for something-especially since it has roughly corresponded with titles as well.
I agree, but not fully. It's only enjoyable when opposing teams don't have enough to face it. The effect becomes less and less staggering when Pep team struggles to overwhelm others. Today City wasn't especially good to watch for example, Sane's goal was an individual effort, can't even remember the other two but I don't recall some crafty moves. It was always a major criticism that his teams had all the ball, but nothing to show for it sometimes.
But largely yes I guess, it's less prone to point loss and buses break down easier under it. I was however a fan of Mourinho's drilled in discipline on the counter and some pace loaded goals Madrid team provided between 2010-2013. A good passer from #10 position is an asset to that philosophy, same with Benzema who thrived in that setup and had his best years at the time.
