Michael Laudrup has rejected the suggestion that Barcelona need a revolution akin to Johan Cruyff’s overhaul of the club in the 1990s.
Laudrup was speaking at a promotional event for a Champions League sponsor and Mundo Deportivo reports the subject of the Catalans was raised.
The Dane played at Barca under Cruyff but dismissed the notion that there are similarities between then and now.
“This Barcelona is different because the team I played in was a little more veteran than now,” Laudrup said.
“Now there are many players who are between 25 and 27 and they have room to grow and play at a good level.
“There are some who are already past 30 and some positions were Barca will sign, but it’s been exaggerated. It’s not a question of a revolution but tinkering.”
Laudrup was asked for his thoughts on the form of Lionel Messi and replied that while he can’t deny the forward’s form has dropped, he argued Messi was coming from the highest level of all.
“We’re accustomed to Messi at an impressive level in recent years and now he has dropped a little, so we look for solutions,” Laudrup continued.
“I think if I was Messi at 26 I would stay here.”
The continued speculation over Tata Martino’s future as Barca Coach saw Laudrup asked if he would ever want a seat on the Camp Nou bench.
“Any Coach would like to train a big team, sure, but there is a colleague working here,” Laudrup answered, citing Martino’s situation.
“He has to finish the League season and he’s under contract. It would be disrespectful to talk about a colleague who is working. We’ll see at the end of the season.
“We are at the end of April and Leagues are still running. People will make decisions later.
“Most of them will be between mid-May and the beginning of the World Cup.
“I love Spain and surely I will live much of the year here. I’ve been here for 11 years in two periods.
“I love this country and it’s my second home. I don’t know if I’ll Coach here. We’ll see in the future.”
