(And why your company is losing because you are still hiring “Galácticos” with attitude problems)

When I look at Pep Guardiola, I don’t just see a football coach I see a full MBA program walking on two legs. If universities were honest, the degree would be: “Master of Business Strategy, Major in Tiki-Taka, Minor in Humbling Superstars.”

Let’s go back to 2007 Barcelona, a club that looked like some of our companies today:

  • Great brand

  • Beautiful offices

  • Big salaries

  • But… *NO RESULTS.

Frank Rijkaard’s era had collapsed. The dressing room had become a nightclub. Ronaldinho was smiling too much. Deco was passing the ball to the wrong people. Training sessions sometimes looked optional.

Then President Joan Laporta did the unthinkable: He promoted an inexperienced 37-year-old coach from the B team. A guy who was coaching boys who still carried school lunchboxes.

This was like taking your intern from Accounts and saying: “You’re now the Managing Director. Good luck.”

Everyone screamed: “Are you mad?” But guess what? Laporta understood something every CEO must learn:

Sometimes the person who will change your company is not outside they are already inside.

1. PEP ARRIVED AND FIRED RONALDINK. YES, RONALDINHO!

Imagine firing the most talented person in your company because:

  • They don’t respect the culture

  • They think they are bigger than the brand

  • They arrive late

  • And they laugh too much at meetings

It sounds familiar, right? You might be thinking of someone in your business right now.

Pep also removed Deco, and the message was clear: “If you don’t fit the culture, you can go. Talent alone is not enough.”

That is strategy.

2. HE PROMOTED KIDS FROM LA MASIA

While Real Madrid were buying:

  • Beckham

  • Van Nistelrooy

  • Ronaldo

  • Every celebrity with six-pack abs

Pep was promoting rookies:

  • Messi (still shy, still vomiting before matches)

  • Busquets (skinny and unknown)

  • Pedro (nobody knew him)

  • Xavi & Iniesta (short, humble, polite)

If they weren’t footballers, they would be working in a library. And yet these “lightweights” went on to win the treble in one season.

The lesson?

You don’t need the most expensive employees; you need the right team. Hire for culture, attitude, humility and teach the skills.

3. PEO INTRODUCED TIKI TAKA A SYSTEM, NOT JUST TALENT

Pep didn’t rely on individuals; he built a philosophy:

  • Attack together

  • Defend together

  • Recover the ball in 6 seconds

  • Positioning is everything

  • Everyone must think faster than the opponent

In business terms:

  • Marketing and Sales attack together

  • Operations and Finance defend together

  • Customer service recovers customer complaints within 6 hours (not 6 days!)

He banned sweet drinks. He banned sports cars. He banned nonsense.

Pep even measured small things you couldn’t even sneeze incorrectly. Everything had data.

Modern CEOs call it KPIs; Pep called it winning.

4. WHEN SUPERSTARTS BECOME BIGGER THAN THE COMPANY, FAILURE BEGINS

Look at Real Madrid’s “Galácticos” era: Everyone wanted to take penalties. Everyone wanted the free-kicks. Everyone wanted the interviews. But nobody wanted to win.

This is exactly what kills companies: Employees who want titles but not responsibilities. People who want allowances but not results. Managers who want respect but not accountability.

When people become bigger than the brand, the organisation begins to die.

Pep rejected that cancer immediately.

5. HE OUTCLASSED SIR ALEX FERGUSON TWICE!

Sir Alex Ferguson is the GOAT of coaching, but in two Champions League finals, Pep made him look like he was coaching a primary school team.

Why?

Because strategy beats experience. Systems beat emotions. Culture beats talent.

THE BUSINESS LESSON FOR 2026

As you build your company strategy:

1️. Look Within Before You Look Outside****

Your next great leader may be the quiet, loyal person who understands your culture.

2️. Fire the Ronaldinhos in your business****

Yes, they are talented. Yes, they can perform. But if they destroy the culture, they destroy the company.

3️. Build Systems, Not Stars****

Barcelona won because the system was stronger than any individual.

4️. Don’t hire Galácticos with big CVs and small character****

They will destroy everything you’ve built.

5️. Constant improvement is a strategy****

Measure everything. Analyze everything. Review everything.

6️. Teamwork beats individual brilliance every time****

Pep’s Barcelona proves it.

FINAL FUNNY BUT TRUE WORD

Every time I watch Pep coaching on the touchline, shouting, sweating, pointing, adjusting players like chess pieces, I don’t see a football match…

I SEE A BOARD MEETING. I SEE STRATEGY. I SEE LEADERSHIP. I SEE CULTURE. I SEE THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS.

So as you plan for 2026, ask yourself:

“Am I building a Pep Guardiola business or a Galácticos circus?”

Your answer will determine your succes

If you want your business to think, plan, and execute with Pep-level precision clear systems, disciplined teams, strong culture, and leadership that wins get in touch with us. We assist with sales training, entrepreneurship coaching, strategy formulation, team performance development, and business systems that help you build a disciplined, results-driven organisation. Reach out on +263 77 961 9739or**+260 972 936 033** and let’s turn your company into a championship-winning team.

By The Chartered Vendor

#BusinessStrategyZW #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurshipCoaching #SalesTrainingAfrica #PepGuardiolaLessons #TeamCultureMatters #BuildSystemsNotStars #AfricaBusinessGrowth #JerryNyazungu

Jerry Nyazungu

Written by Jerry Nyazungu

Known as "The Chartered Vendor," Jerry is a business consultant, international keynote speaker, and bestselling author. He transforms African businesses through strategic consulting and world-class sales training.

Learn more about Jerry