Rijkaard lost the plot.
The squad Guardiola came in to coach was full of players who'd already won everything, as well as some of the finest talent in Europe. It was almost entirely complete.
Eto'o and Messi and Henry.
Xavi and Iniesta (remember Euro 2008 by the way?).
Guardiola deserves a lot of credit for the likes of Busquets and Piqué.