Txiki (2): "Youth players adapt easier"

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain gave an interview to Catalan newspaper El Periódico.


(read the first part of the interview here)


You don't think that the blame for the failure of the past seasons has been put on Rijkaard while more persons were involved, including yourself?
When you defend some manners that lead to a failure, you're in the end responsible. Absolutely. If I say that I think that Frank should stay until June, I'm responsible because I'm giving my approval to the things he does and the things he doesn't do. If he doesn't reach objectives, if he doesn't get through to the group or if the grouop isn't responding, I'm accepting that and that makes me responsible too.

It's over now but don't you think that you should have interfered more directly by talking to the players?
A player doesn't trust me, he should trust the coach.

Eto'o has been the story of the summer. Can you explain the process from saying he should leave until him staying?
He was on the market until we had to play the Champions League qualifier. Because of the circumstances - the market didn't move and in the end only two forwards joined another club - and because the attitude of Samu and his way of training in difficult circumstances were praiseworthy, it could happen that he stayed. And we made the decision on August 13. He didn't stay just like that, it wasn't a coincidence. There have been talks: with the player, the player with his teammates, with the coach. Guardiola has managed the whole process perfectly. People accused him of lowering Eto'o's market value by saying he didn't count on him, but it has been proven that there was no harm done. He said the same thing about Ronaldinho and we received an incredible offer from Manchester City. And I want to point out the second phrase of Guardiola: if they stay, I will threat them the same like the others.

You're satisfied by the important role of the youth players?
When we arrived, we wanted to have 50 per cent of youth players in the squad. We're working very good since some time. It's not about giving rewards to anyone, but this work should be appreciated. All of those who are being promoted show that they have personality. The players who come from outside have more difficulties to adapt than the youth players. When we are signing a player, you're never sure how he will react when he's confronted with the club, the entourage, the pressure, the fans. With the youth players, you don't have those doubts. They aren't scared.

You don't have doubts about Henry?
We all forgot the day when he arrived, the 25 000 fans that were there and the circumstances of his arrival. That he's a goalscorer is something that cannot be discussed. Is he a player who can take on four opponents? No, it's a centre forward who scores. Every game he has two or three chances because he's an intelligent player. Will he participate a lot this season? If he has to play every game, he will. If he doesn't deserve it, he won't. Nobody has to play 50 games.


This was the second part of this interview. You can read the following parts in the coming days with Txiki talking -amongst other things - about the exits of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho.

Read the first part:
Txiki (1): "Guardiola is keeping his promise"