Out with the old.......

As I bid adieu to Messrs. Deco, Eto'o, Ronaldhino, Rijkaard et al, I am salivating at the prospect of a new era at Barca. Another 'dream team' per chance ?

One of Barca's proudest sons, Pep Guardiola, waits in the wings, ready to make a grand entrance onto the Camp Nou stage. A young man full of ideas, enthusiasm and drive. A man of presence. A Barca man. A man that understands. A man of the people and for the people.

As he begins to play conductor for the blaugrana, what instruments will make up his orchestra?

Many of the Spanish daily's are reporting on the mouthwatering prospect of Kaka swapping the stripes of Milan for those of Barca, with a fading Ronaldhino heading in the opposite direction. Surely the transfer business of the decade if it were to happen. The thought of seeing Kaka and Messi in the same team is a marriage made in football heaven.

Other names are being banded around like confetti - Alves, Keita, Ribery, Pique, Adebayor to name just a few. Clearly, the 'pull' of playing for one of the best and most attractive football teams in the world has not lost any of it's shine.

So what is Pep about to take on.........

Well, in truth, Barca's season was all but over a few months ago, but the clawing back of 7 out of 9 points lead that Franco's team held, gave all cules brief cause for optimism. In much the same way as someone with a long illness appears to make a recovery, albeit brief, before plunging into a downward spiral once more. And sadly too many sub standard performances have seen the death of Rijkaard and his team.

It is necesary to take a few moments to doff one's cap and pay our last respects to Frank, a man of dignity, of honesty, but ultimately not a man of any substance. How else do you explain the frequent disappearing acts of some of the more established names. No 'hairdryer' treatment for them.

It is indeed a great shame, that the all conquering 2006 vintage has lost the bubbles and is now flat as a pancake. Adieu Frank and thanks for the memories.

Let us hope that Pep can get the party started once more.

Visca!