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Blue_Tires

(56,419 posts)
Wed Feb 27, 2013, 03:45 PM Feb 2013

Report: Guardiola spied on players

According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, ex-Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola went to extreme lengths to ensure club harmony by spying on his players via a private detective agency while with the La Liga giants.

The Spanish coach reportedly hired Metodo 3 from 2008-12 to track the personal lives of Barcelona players. Among those targeted were ex- Barca standouts Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto’o, while current star defender Gerard Pique was also monitored.

"The Metodo 3 detective agency spied on FC Barcelona players under orders from the then director of Security and now director general of Penitentiary Services for the Generalitat (autonomous government of Catalonia), Xavier Martorell,” says the report.

The report added: "During the time that Pep managed the 'Azulgranas' first team he developed a good understanding and friendship with Martorell, who willingly helped Guardiola to be informed at all times."

El Confidencial’s report suggests that inquiries to Pique’s private life began after the Spanish international started dating Colombian pop star Shakira, who he recently had a baby with. Detectives were rumored to have discovered Pique’s favorite night spots in Barcelona, where he would frequent with friends and family until the early morning.

Guardiola, who led Barcelona to 14 titles over four seasons and turned the Spanish club into arguably the best team in the world, has agreed to become the coach of Bayern Munich starting next season. Under his guidance, Barcelona dominated Spanish and European competitions with its passing game and frequent scoring from standout Lionel Messi.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/laliga/story/josep-guardiola-reportedly-hired-detectives-to-spy-on-barcelona-players-022613

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Report: Guardiola spied on players (Original Post) Blue_Tires Feb 2013 OP
Oh that's just great... Aquavit Feb 2013 #1

Aquavit

(488 posts)
1. Oh that's just great...
Wed Feb 27, 2013, 11:23 PM
Feb 2013

I wanted the team to retain Jupp or hire another German coach (Klopp from Dortmund, maybe) rather than hire Pep at the time, and now I REALLY wish Bayern had gone that route instead. If Pep tries to pull this kind of thing in Munich, and it leads to any departures, I'm going to be really unhappy...

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