UCL: Thierry Henry reveals Barcelona’s secret to producing top managers

The Arsenal legend shed light on the Spanish club’s fundamentals that keep them churning out a glut of head coaches.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry believes the LaLiga club will keep providing football with top coaches because of the values they instil.

Luis Enrique, ahead of the PSG-Barcelona clash, confidently declared his representation of Barcelona’s playing style over Xavi.

Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola’s teams played out a six-goal thriller in Madrid on Tuesday night, with the exceptional finishing undoubtedly striking.

The Champions League quarter-final has no less than four Spanish coaches, with Pep Guardiola and Xavi Barcelonaproducts, while Mikel Arteta spent a few of his formative years at the Blaugrana’s famed La Masia youth academy.

Luis Enrique may not have been a graduate of the Barca production line, but the PSG boss representing the club for eight years as a player from 1996 to 2004 before managing both Barcelona B and the first-team, notably winning the club’s second treble in 2014-15.

What Henry said about Barcelona producing top managers

Henry was managed by Guardiola in the Blaugrana’s first treble-winning campaign in 2008-09, playing alongside Xavi in the history-making side that dominated domestically and on the continent, leading the Arsenal icon to speak glowingly about the club’s ideals.

Thierry Henry played under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona in that historic 2008-09 season (Imago/ActionPictures)

“When you’re there, you get the sense of developing players and also their coaches,” said the pundit on CBS Sports. “As you can see, it’s no coincidence that you see Mikel Arteta there, Xavi and Guardiola. Luis Enrique is not from La Masia, but he coached Barcelona.

“Not only do they create players, but they create managers. They have a certain way of telling you that you need to transcend in how the team plays. They don’t talk about winning, they talk about how you play and how you can communicate with the community.

“It’s like a mission to be able to able to make people enjoy what they’re doing. Whether it’s the fans or people on the field, or the coach, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. At Barcelona, when you win, you have to win well.

“Mikel left early, but you have to pass on that message on the field and outside about promoting the game – for them – the right way.”