Joan Laporta spoke to Spanish radio stations Onda Cero and Radio Marca. "Mourinho is a great professional but we had Guardiola who was ready to make the leap to the first team. I was always certain about the decision and, from a football perspective, it was one of the best I made", he said.

FC Barcelona's former president admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo could have become part of the 'Azulgrana' team while playing for Sporting: "Mendes offered him to us and for less than he went to United for, but we didn't have the finances at the time. Jorge is a very clever man, he has done very well and he deserves the success he is having".

The same happened with José Mourinho: "Mendes called me to ask if we were interested in signing Mourinho for the bench but I told him that we had decided to go for Pep Guardiola. Pep was the ideal person to take the gameplay ideology and the philosophy forward. We always thought it would turn out well but the reality exceeded all expectations".

"We wanted to sign Xabi Alonso but he didn't have the two-touch play that Barça midfielders have and the coaching team decided against it", said Laporta. On Valdés he commented: "We have won two Champions Leagues thanks to him. Goalkeepers don't get the recognition they deserve".