Stoichkov: "They should build a monument for Eto'o"

Mamelodi Sundowns manager and former Barcelona player Hristo Stoichkov gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.



How do you see Barça?
Oh dear! Barça is unique in world football. They are at their own level. I saw the Champions League draw and the 'Barça vs Inter' debate is senseless. Mourinho is a great coach and has a great team but he knows Barça is better. Can they loose a game against Inter? Of course, but if I had to put my money on one team, I would put it on Barça.

What about Eto'o returning to the Camp Nou? Ibra or Eto'o?
The press always seems to want to make comparisons. Eto'o has given so many things to Barça that they should build a monument for him. If Ibra now plays well and also give trophies to the culés, well that would be another monument... But let's not take credit away from the one who's not there anymore just to be able to talk positively about the new one. And we shouldn't ask Ibrahimovic to score two goals each game either. He should be given time to adapt to the system, the team-mates, the club, the city...

Another treble is possible?
I would like it but people from the world of football know how difficult it is. I was part of one of the best teams in the history of Barcelona and we didn't win one treble. Now they've already won the two super cups. This team has a winning spirit, a good mentality, with good players, a good coach, but...

But?
...football is no mathematics and two and two is not four. If that was the case, Real Madrid would be the next champion. With all that money, all those names, with so many cracks, that's the end of it, period, you shouldn't have to play any more competitions. But it's not like that, so we shouldn't put even more pressure on the team nor expect that Barça will again win everything just like that.

So we shouldn't worry about Real Madrid?
Yes, you should worry, but you shouldn't get obsessed. We have to continue with our own thing because if we keep the same line, it will be difficult for the galaxy to beat us. Ronaldo, Kaká, Benzema are great but Messi, Xavi and Iniesta are better. Right?

I guess so, yes. When do you return to Catalonia?
I won't be able to leave South Africa until Christmas. But I'm already looking forward to it!

What about returning to Barça?
I also would want that! I didn't have the chance so far but you never know what can happen in the future. I would like to and if it would be possible, fantastic, but if not, we continue with other things. Being inside or outside the club, I'm a Barça fan.

What do you think about the transfer of Chygrynskiy?
Great. Guardiola proves that he has courage because it's very easy to sign Ibra but it's more complicated with a Ukrainian boy of 22 years old, not known by many people. I congratulate Pep for the chance he's giving Dimitro.

What would you advise him?
His story reminds me my own. I also arrived in Barcelona being very young but with a lot of desire to conquer the world. He's from the East, which means he has character and I am sure he will succeed. I would advise him that he opens his eyes, listens and works.

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Ex-Barça: Stoichkov to Mamelodi Sundowns

South-African first division club Mamelodi Sundowns has earlier today officially announced the appointment of former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov (43) as their new manager.

Iranian first division club Abu Moslem had last month announced the appointment of Stoichkov (43) but the Bulgarian denied the news a few weeks later (read more here). Stoichkov, who will soon be presented at a press conference, has been away from coaching since he resigned as Celta Vigo coach in October 2007.

Hristo Stoichkov joined Barcelona in the summer of 1990, arriving from CSKA Sofia. Five years later, he moved to Italian club Parma but came back the next season. In 1998, he returned to CSKA Sofia.

With Barcelona, Stoichkov won five Spanish leagues in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1998, two Spanish cups in 1990 and 1998, four Spanish super cups in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996, one Champions League in 1992, one European Cup winner's cup in 1997 and two European super cups in 1992 and 1997. In 1994, he won the Ballon d'Or.

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Ex-Barça: Stoichkov to Abu Moslem

Iranian first division club Abu Moslem has yesterday officially announced the appointment of former Barcelona player Hristo Stoichkov (43) as their new manager.

Stoichkov, who signed a two-year contract, had been away from coaching since he resigned as Celta Vigo coach in October 2007.

Hristo Stoichkov joined Barcelona in the summer of 1990, arriving from CSKA Sofia. Five years later, he moved to Italian club Parma but came back the next season. In 1998, he returned to CSKA Sofia.

With Barcelona, Stoichkov won five Spanish leagues in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1998, two Spanish cups in 1990 and 1998, four Spanish super cups in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996, one Champions League in 1992, one European Cup winner's cup in 1997 and two European super cups in 1992 and 1997. In 1994, he won the Ballon d'Or.

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Top ten most official Barcelona goals

Barcelona's official website put out a list of players who have a scored the most goals in official games wearing the Barça shirt.



235 César (1939-1940, 1941-1960)
196 Kubala (1950-1961)
130 Rivaldo (1997-2002)
124 Mariano Martín (1939-1948)
122 Rexach (1965-1981)

122 Kluivert (1998-2004)
118 Escolà (1934-1937, 1940-1949)
117 Stoichkov (1990-1995, 1996-1998)
112 Basora (1947-1958)
111 Eulogio Martínez (1956-1962)
111 Eto'o (since 2004)



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Top ten most official Barcelona appearances

Guardiola's staff

While it is believed that a deal has been reached earlier this week with future Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola (37) (read more here), it is also generally excepted that Barcelona B assistant coach Tito Vilanova will continue to be Guardiola's right hand next season (read more here).

The main lines of Vilanova's contract were also agreed upon this week. Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Guardiola, informed Vilanova on the talks on Wednesday evening and the assistant will most probably give his agreement shortly.

The composition of the rest of the coaching staff is not yet clear. Bulgarian newspaper Meridian Mach claimed last weekend that former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov (42) had accepted an offer to become an assistant of Guardiola. This news was not confirmed and Stoichkov would now be negotiating with Red Star Belgrade to become head coach.

Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Guardiola has suggested the appointment of Real Sociedad manager Juan Manuel Lillo (42) (picture), who has a very close relationship with Guardiola, as assistant but that this was vetoed by the Barcelona board (read more here).

The club thinks that Lillo has a poor track record. But most of all, during the election process of 2003, both Guardiola and Lillo were part of the candidacy of Lluís Bassat, then the main rival of Laporta. Letting the duo Guardiola-Lillo take charge of the team would be like admitting that the Bassat project was in fact the right one.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims nevertheless that Lillo could be added to the coaching staff when the competition in Segunda División ends next month. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that there simply won't be a second assistant coach next season.

Sport says that current goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué (41) would be willing to continue, although he could also accept an offer by another club to become head coach. Barcelona B goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets (40) is a valid alternative for Guardiola.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Guardiola has rejected the continuation of Unzué, despite attempts of Barcelona officials to convince the new manager. Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Guardiola wants to take Busquets with him and doesn't want to give in to the pressure from the club to keep Unzué on board.

In the physical department it is expected there will be some serious changes, but all of this is yet to be confirmed.

Although no official announcement has yet been made, it is generally believed that former Barcelona player Luis Enrique will replace Guardiola as manager of Barcelona B (read more here). This week, Luis Enrique has been following some training sessions of the team.

Fernando Hierro, sports director of the Spanish football association, confirmed earlier this week that Luis Enrique will not accept his offer (read more here) because he has chosen to coach Barcelona B next season: "After a few meetings, Luis Enrique has in the end taken the decision to accept the offer of Barcelona. His motivation and the possibility to stay with his family in Barcelona have been decisive."

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Who will assist Guardiola?
Deal with Guardiola
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