Comparing the most successful FC Barcelona teams over the years

#2 Louis van Gaal\'s Dutch contingent

Louis van Gaal arrived at Barcelona in 1997, taking over from Bobby Robson who was “moved upstairs.” That phrase didn’t have quite the same connotation in those days as it does now. Robson was effectively being pushed aside but in the process, he at least made sure that the Dutchman took Jose Mourinho as his third assistant, to give the team some continuity.

The Dutchman’s impact though was instant. Ronaldo had left after just one record-breaking season, but international teammate Rivaldo was brought in to replace him. The Brazilian was imperious as Barca strolled to the La Liga title by nine points. Mallorca were defeated in the Cup, giving Van Gaal a double in his first season.

The Champions League was, however, a write-off, as it was the following season when the Catalans went out at the group stages. Quite how they won the league by a cavernous 11 points in 98-99 is anyone’s guess as they started the season with four successive defeats, meaning that they were playing catch up from the very beginning of the campaign.

Aside from an expected influx of Dutch players, Van Gaal has to be credited with beginning to shape the Barcelona of recent times. Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdés, and Andrés Iniesta were all handed their debuts by him, and look at the narrative that they have written since!