Mascherano: I've learned a lot from Pep

Posted Sunday, May 20, 2012 by ESPN

Ahead of Pep Guardiola's final game in charge of Barcelona, Javier Mascherano declared that the manager has made him a better player in numerous ways.

Following a record-breaking haul of 13 trophies in 4 seasons, the curtains will come down on Guardiola's time at Barcelona after the upcoming Copa Del Rey finals, with the manager planning to take a year-long break from football. Mascherano considers Guardiola to be a rare breed in the sport, and that he will be fondly remembered at the Catalan club.

"It is very hard for a coach to leave a club on good terms, either they are sacked, or they do not have their contracts renewed," he said to ARA.

"In this case, it was his decision. I think that he will leave through the front door."

Arriving from Liverpool in the Spaniard's third season at the helm, Mascherano believes he has become a superior player in more ways than one under Guardiola's tutelage.

"Guardiola is different from the other coaches because of the way he sees football. When I arrived here, I had a different idea of what football was," he shared.

"He has taught me to look at the game in a different way. I have learned so much about being a better professional and about looking at this job beyond the results."

Barcelona will play Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final this Friday.