Former Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano admits they were ready to go with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho ahead of Pep Guardiola in 2008.

In the end, Barca went with Guardiola over concerns Mourinho would be 'high maintenance'.

"Yes, Mourinho was preferred before Pep, I can confirm. Mourinho is a great coach and has shown great success in his career," Soriano said.

"He previously worked for Barcelona. He knew how we play.

"But its enough to see his Inter Milan and Real Madrid to understand that his football is completely different.

"So we decided not to hire him. But he accepted this as a professional."