Birmingham's boss visiting Barcelona

Lee Clark is off to Barcelona once Birmingham City's season has ended.

The manager and three members of his staff are to visit the Spanish giants to study and assess their methods first hand.

Clark is a huge fan of former Catalan boss Pep Guardiola, who did so much to elevate Barcelona’s standing in the game to where it is now.

And as a young, ambitious manager, Clark’s thirst for knowledge and improvement, tapping into football’s very best, is high.

Clark and his men will meet and speak with key Barcelona staff, watch training sessions and their preparation as well as run the rule over the famed La Masia Academy.

“There’s an opportunity for me to go and look at the club and their Academy for three or four days,” said Clark.

“The opportunity came from a contact of one of our staff.

“I feel that if you are given this sort of opportunity as a young manager it’s one worth taking.

“It’s about always looking and learning.

“Even if I go there and pick up one coaching practice, then I think it will have been a worthwhile few days for us.

“And I am sure I will because you don’t have a club like they have and success like they have if there’s not good practices put in place.”

As you head up the stairs to Clark’s office at Blues Wast Hills training ground, the first thing you see is a large sign inscribed with a quote from Guardiola.

It was a message to his Barcelona players on his first day in charge, that he would not be soft on them nor an easy touch. Above all, his pride and ambition were ‘enormous’ and his players were going to work hard.

Clark continued: “Going there, it’s just talking to the coaches, seeing what sessions they produce, the philosophy.

“I have been obsessed with Guardiola. I have got a lot of stuff on him, I read articles and books on what he’s about, like I do all the top managers, the Fergusons, Wengers, David Moyes.

“Obviously he’s not there any more, but it’s just the way he reinvented the club. It has always been a massive club, but he took it to a new level, first team and the Academy.

“We are doing terrifically well in respect of our Academy and we want that upward curve, that improvement, to continue as well.”

Clark’s trip will be rounded off thus: “On the Sunday, Barcelona are away, so we are staying to watch Espanyol playing Real Madrid – but I’m not sure how many players in the white kit I will able to sign!”