Farewell Ceremony

After the match ended, the Barca club held a farewell ceremony for Guardiola.

All 100,000 fans in the stadium rose to their feet and sang the "Guardiola Song" in unison.

For them, today was a day of both joy and sorrow.

The joy came from having Messi, who was only 25 years old and at the peak of his career.

The sorrow stemmed from the departure of the legendary coach Guardiola, caused by a turmoil surrounding the club's presidential change.

This left them feeling rather pessimistic about the team's future prospects.

It was hard to find another coach like Guardiola, who came from the La Masia youth system, was familiar with Barca's tactical playstyle, fully utilized Barca's characteristics, developed an entirely new tactical system, and maximized his own advantages.

Under Guardiola's leadership, Barca had once achieved the remarkable feat of having all 11 players on the field come from the Barca youth academy.

But after Guardiola's departure, would his successor still heavily rely on players from the La Masia youth academy?

Would they be able to achieve the same brilliant results as Guardiola?

The more they thought about these questions, the more reluctant they were to part with Guardiola.

The fans waved Barca's flags, held up various pictures bearing Guardiola's image, and loudly sang praises for him.

Guardiola walked onto the field alone. He looked up at the stands, at the stadium.

Here, he had led the team to brilliant achievements and left behind their legend.

But after today, he would no longer belong here.

If he returned here next time, it would most likely be as an opponent.

At that time, would these beloved fans still welcome him and cheer for him as they did today?

At this moment, the stadium's big screen began playing highlights of the achievements Guardiola had made during his four years as coach.

The first league title.

The first Champions League title.

The first sextuple grand slam.

On the big screen, Guardiola sliding on his knees to celebrate a goal scored by a player.

Standing on the sidelines directing the match in pouring rain.

Running wildly to celebrate when the team won a match.

Running laps around the field after winning the championship for the first time.

His dedication in diligently taking notes and studying tactics and opponents' weaknesses before every match...

Finally, the screen froze on the scene from last season when the team won the Champions League and he was tossed high into the air by the players.

With emotions running high, Guardiola took the microphone handed to him by a staff member.

He brought it to his lips several times but couldn't speak.

He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, the fans and players would hear his choked voice.

This was his home, yet he was about to leave.

People often say that feelings intensify as one nears home, but what would a wanderer's feelings be when leaving their hometown with an uncertain future?

He took a deep breath, adjusted his state, and began to speak:

"Here, I thank everyone!"

"Especially those around me – the players, the coaching staff, and the club's employees."

"I also thank the fans who supported us. We may not have been very close, but I could feel your support every day."

"You know I will miss you. Having your support as I leave Camp Nou makes me very emotional!"

The fans waved various banners and signs of support and gratitude for Guardiola, offering him applause and blessings.

"As for the reason for my departure, I have stated it many times in different settings, but I feel I still need to explain it to you here."

"During these four years coaching Barca, we achieved very good results, but the work pressure has been immense during this time, and I haven't been able to spend enough time with my family.

I apologize to them, and I promise to spend quality time with my family in the coming period!"

Guardiola looked towards the players' tunnel, where his girlfriend Cristina Serra and their four children were watching him with smiles.

Lin Quan was among them!

Yes, the couple who adopted Lin Quan were Guardiola and Serra.

Although not their biological children, Guardiola and Serra treated Lin Quan as their own, the same as their other three children.

Guardiola waved to them, and Serra immediately walked towards him with the four children.

"You've worked hard, Pep. Finally, we can start our vacation!"

Serra said with a smile as she embraced her partner. She noticed Guardiola seemed a bit down and tried to distract him with the idea of a vacation.

"Thank you, Cristina. I'm sorry I haven't been able to spend enough time with you and the children all these years!"

Guardiola felt a pang of guilt and apologized sincerely again.

"No need to apologize. If you truly feel indebted, why not show it through your actions!"

"Hmm, that's a good suggestion. I'll consider it!"

Guardiola was contemplating marriage, feeling it was time to end their long-term relationship.

When it was Lin Quan's turn, Guardiola spontaneously hugged him, patted his shoulder firmly, and said to him:

"Lin, you're sixteen now. It's time to start thinking about your future career plans. Do you have any ideas?"

Lin Quan thought seriously for a moment and replied:

"I plan to train well at Barca for a while longer, then look for a team to loan or transfer to!"

"You want to leave Barca?"

Guardiola was somewhat surprised by Lin Quan's idea.

Players from the La Masia youth academy rarely considered leaving Barca on their own accord.

But judging by Lin Quan's demeanor, he didn't seem to have that deep of an attachment to Barca.

Could it be that his decision to resign due to his strained relationship with the club had affected him?

"Yes, Barca's first team is full of talent. I don't have many opportunities here, so I have to leave!"

Lin Quan said this, but in his heart, he thought Barca wasn't worth staying for.

Looking at Barca's operation ten years later, where they drove Messi out at the last minute of the transfer window, the club had no humanity at all.

A legendary player who served the team for 21 years, scored over six hundred goals, and led the team to countless honors, could be driven away so unfeelingly, even insultingly, as if they were being toyed with.

Who would be foolish enough to stay with a club like that!

Guardiola considered it. Barca's midfield indeed had a rich talent pool.

Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, and others were at their peak and very strong.

Young players probably couldn't compete with them. Although when he was the head coach, he had planned to groom Lin Quan as Xavi's successor.

For this reason, he even gave him the youth team's number four jersey, the same jersey he wore when he played for Barca.

But after he left, he didn't know how Barca's tactical style would change.

Every coach had their own ideas. Some liked to heavily rely on their youth players, while others liked to buy established players from outside.

Therefore, the development plan he had previously set for Lin Quan might not be feasible anymore.

"Alright, I respect your choice. We'll have a good chat about it when we get back!"

Lin Quan nodded. Guardiola was currently a red-hot legendary coach on this planet.

His opinion was definitely something he needed to consider.

After hugging his family, colleagues, and the team's players in turn.

Under the farewell lineup of the club staff, Guardiola quickly left the stadium.

From this moment on, Guardiola's connection with Barca was severed.

Many people, including fans and club executives, thought it was just a temporary separation.

They believed he would return after the club's presidential election and when his conflict with the club eased.

But no one expected that this farewell would be forever.

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