Josep Guardiola: Barcelona as hungry as ever for more titles

Pep Guardiola: Barcelona are as hungry as ever for more titles

Dec 29, 2011 2:48:00 PM

The recent Club World Cup triumph means the Catalans have now won 13 titles in just over three years but they are in no mood to rest on their laurels, according to their coach

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that his players have an insatiable desire for silverware.

The recent Club World Cup triumph in Japan means that the Catalans have now won 13 trophies since the former Barca B coach took charge of the senior side in the summer of 2008.

However, despite their remarkable run of success, Guardiola claims his players remain as motivated as ever.

"It is perhaps the best compliment a coach can receive,” the former midfielder said during an interview with Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. “After the technical skills and the vision comes hunger.

“It is the most important factor at this level: hunger makes you better. It's what makes the engine run. After 13 titles, they still burn with ambition.”

When it came to further analysing the effectiveness of his side’s possession-based game, Guardiola underlined the importance of midfield duo Sergio Busquets and Xavi, and centre-back Carles Puyol.

"Some of our defenders, like Dani Alves, attack a lot,” he mused. “This only works when players like Busquets and Xavi control the midfield. Almost all of our attacks begin with Xavi and he does it fantastically well.

“Moreover, we have a reliable central defender in Puyol and that helps a lot."

Guardiola also acknowledged the role of the club’s renowned academy, La Masia, in their current era of dominance.

"We are proud to have played a Champions League final with eight players from our home,” the admitted.

“The have been learning to play in the philosophy of the club, which we call the seal of La Masia.

“It does not matter where you come from either. [Lionel] Messi is Argentine but if you look at his style, it's all of a player of Barcelona. For our fans, is great to have players who they can automatically identify with.”

Since Guardiola took charge at Camp Nou three years ago, Barcelona have won two Champions Leagues, three Primera Division titles, two Club World Cups, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas and two Uefa Super Cups.

Starting last month and continuing every Friday through January, Goal.com will publish extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. Ahead of the friendly match between the Catalan national team, coached by Johan Cruyff, and Tunisia on Dec 30, on Friday we take a look at the most influential figure in Barcelona's history. Don't miss it!

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