Mourinho's USB drive that could have changed everything

Eighteen years on, former Barcelona sporting director Marc Ingla recalls Mourinho's 2008 pitch presentation in Lisbon, delivered via USB drive outlining his vision for the club before Guardiola was chosen instead.

In spring 2008, Barcelona's sporting director Marc Ingla travelled to Lisbon to meet José Mourinho, who was being considered as a replacement for Frank Rijkaard. The Portuguese coach, then without a club after leaving Chelsea, presented a detailed 27-page PowerPoint proposal on a white USB drive outlining how he would transform Barcelona.

Mourinho's plan centred on a 4-3-3 formation inspired by Johan Cruyff's philosophy, with ball possession as a cornerstone of training. He analysed the squad in depth, questioning Ronaldinho's future while backing Eto'o and Deco, and proposed bringing in former Barcelona players like Luis Enrique and Sergi Barjuan to his coaching staff. He also suggested improving his relationship with the media after recent clashes with Chelsea.

However, Barcelona's director of football Txiki Beguiristain was already backing Pep Guardiola, who had just begun coaching the B team. Laporta ultimately followed Cruyff's advice and appointed Guardiola, who went on to build one of the greatest Barcelona sides in history. Mourinho, spurned, would later become the club's public enemy number one.