Guardiola taking Dream Team to new heights - Laporta
Says best yet to come for Barca
Johan Cruyff's Barcelona "Dream Team" of the early 1990s laid the foundations for the club's triumph this season but Pep Guardiola has taken the Dutchman's philosophy to new heights, president Joan Laporta said.
Cruyff played for Barca in the mid-1970s before returning as coach in 1988 and leading the Catalan club to one European Cup victory and four straight Spanish league titles with a thrilling brand of attacking football.
Guardiola, the midfield linchpin of that side, has eclipsed Cruyff's achievements in his first season in charge by winning the Champions League, Primera Liga and King's Cup, the first treble for a Spanish club.
"Pep and the players have played the best season in the history of Barca and they have demonstrated that they are the best team in the history of Barca," a jubilant Laporta said after Barca's 2-0 win over Manchester United.
"We have to go back to the Dream Team of Johan and the way Johan transformed football," he added.
"Pep in one year has really created a genius team. It has roots (in Cruyff's philosophy) but at the same time he himself has created something."
Laporta felt the best was yet to come and paid tribute to his board for backing the decision to appoint the untested 38-year-old Guardiola to replace Cruyff's compatriot Frank Rijkaard at the end of last season.
Right decision
"We thought he was the suitable person for the job and now with much pride and happiness we can say that we took the right decision," said Laporta.
"We have a coach who manages the team majestically, everyone together with a lot of talent and quality and I think it has a long way it can still go.
"It is the prize for perseverance, the prize for those who fought for our ideals."
Cruyff said Barca's success was down to their constant desire to attack and score goals.
"This Barca side delights everyone who sees it," he told Spanish TV.
"Next year is next year," he added, when asked if Guardiola could repeat the feat.