Pep's first 5 games as Barca boss: just one win and defeat to fifth-tier side — here's how Cruyff reacted

If someone tells you that Pep Guardiola hit the ground running at Barcelona, remind them of the coach's first months in charge.

The truth is that Barca struggled in the first five games under the new manager, at least in terms of results, as they recorded three losses, one draw and one win.

Barca 4-0 Wisla Krakow (Champions League qualifier)

Wisla Krakow 1-0 Barca (Champions League qualifier)

Numancia 1-0 Barca (La Liga)

UE Sant Andreu 3-1 Barca (Copa Catalunya)

Barca 1-1 Racing Santander (La Liga)

Guardiola had only been promoted from the reserves and there were many who doubted him at first. Not Johan Cruyff, though, who saw Pep's potential even after the defeat to newly-promoted Numancia.

"The best Barca side … in many years," the Dutchman would go on to write in El Periodico.

And Cruyff was definitely right. Barca went on a 19-match unbeaten run after the Santander game. The season also ended in the demolition of Real Madrid 6-2 at Santiago Bernabeu in May and a win against a very solid Manchester United to win the Champions League and complete the treble.

And we also have to note that, while the results were bad in the first five games, the signs were definitely positive.

Barca were simply unlucky to hit the post three times in the Numancia game. And the Copa Catalunya match was played by mostly youngsters from the academy, the first team was barely involved.