Elimination from the Champions League following the failed swap deal of Samuel Eto'o and Ibrahimović.
And decisively, a sixth straight defeat in El Clásico.
Those were what led Guardiola to this press conference.
Even so, President Laporta arranged this occasion to show him proper respect. If Guardiola had been an ordinary coach with no deep ties to Barcelona, he would have left quietly after a brief interview.
Click click click.
As Guardiola appeared, neatly dressed in a charcoal suit, camera flashes erupted.
Laporta, who had been waiting beside the reporters, stepped forward and clasped his hand.
"Take it easy. If you look too distressed, it will weigh even heavier on those of us who remain."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Laporta and the club's executives remained seated in the press room.
It was the utmost loyalty one could show in a professional world ruled by money and results.
The somber press conference began as Pep took the microphone.
"I am Pep Guardiola. First, I would like to ask for your understanding regarding this sudden decision by myself and the club. In truth, this was not something decided overnight. There have been months of anguish and deliberation, and after our elimination from the Champions League and this defeat in El Clásico, the decision was made. As early as last December, there were voices saying that Pep was not fit to lead Barcelona."
Here, Guardiola forced a bitter smile.
"What saddens me most is that my shortcomings led the fans to think that way. At the time, I denied it, but now I can only admit it myself. Therefore, I have decided to step down at the end of this season. I am not someone who enjoys interviews, but today there must be many questions the fans want answered, so I will take as many as possible."
As planned, pre-selected reporters were given the chance to ask questions.
One reporter who had been unable to hold back his curiosity spoke first.
"Is your resignation related to conflict with the players? Do you have anything to say about Messi, who is currently refusing interviews?"
It was the question football fans around the world were most curious about.
Were the rumors of factions surrounding Messi true, or merely media attempts to undermine him?
Guardiola answered without hesitation.
"The players have done nothing wrong. They have supported me in everything that has happened here. For the past two years, I have endured immense pressure from the media every single day. The driving force that allowed me to continue as a manager has been the players. I will never forget the time we spent training and preparing matches together. And Messi is still at Barcelona. He is special to me, but his refusal to give interviews does not determine his morality as a player. He has always been the best and will continue to be so. Busquets, Abidal, Keita, Puyol and many others, though they were my players, they were also great examples to me. I want to thank them."
It was a response typical of Guardiola, always humble in interviews.
"Then are you satisfied with your time here?"
"My time at the club was very good. However, in professional football, everything is judged by results. In that sense, I have failed. The greatest failure is that I could not give the fans satisfaction and happiness."
By then, Guardiola's face had turned red.
His eyes were moist.
No matter how he thought about it, leaving like this was deeply regrettable.
Even he could not fully believe this reality.
He was confident that his passion and effort for football were second to none, yet seeing those efforts end like this left him devastated.
The press conference continued in a heavy atmosphere.
The final question concerned his future.
Guardiola spoke in a low voice.
"I will leave the football world."
Gasps.
It was a shocking statement.
Murmurs spread among the reporters.
Guardiola continued calmly.
"It took great courage to make this decision. But I will not change my mind. My time is already over. My passion for football will remain, but I will now step away from the field and watch quietly from a distance."
The room fell silent as if doused with cold water.
The silence was broken by a question from a reporter who had long supported Barcelona.
"You don't mean forever, do you?"
"…"
Even he could not be certain.
While constantly thinking about which team he might manage next, part of him also wanted to leave football entirely and live in peace.
So he could not answer lightly.
"I have nothing more to say for now."
The room grew quiet again at his firm decision.
Then one reporter spoke frankly.
"I hope you do not blame yourself. There are countless people around the world who love your football and draw strength from it. I truly hope to see you back on the touchline someday. I wish you the best, coach."
"Thank you."
With that press conference, Guardiola's era came to an end.
Or rather, the era of Barcelona's anticipated domination never fully arrived and faded away.
From August 2008 until now, the only trophy achieved was the Copa del Rey.
The results were modest.
But he was undoubtedly a man who sent shockwaves through the football world.
"Pep Guardiola to Step Down at the End of the Season. Final Task Is the Copa del Rey."
"Where Will Guardiola Go Next? Manchester City Mentioned as Possible Destination."
"Pep's Agent: 'There Will Be No Negotiations with Any Club This Year.'"
"Don Balón: Messi May Have Ordered Guardiola's Resignation."
"So he's really leaving."
"Hm."
April 12, Valdebebas.
There is a saying that the enemy's sorrow is my joy.
But upon hearing of Guardiola's resignation, Real Madrid's players felt a strange emotion.
The departure of a troublesome rival should have been good news, yet it was not something to celebrate wildly.
As fellow football professionals, they understood how painful such a decision must have been.
For Ho-young especially, the feeling was complicated.
Pep's life changed because of me.
When he first started playing football eight years ago, he never imagined the world would change this much.
Greed.
He had not realized how powerful the devilish talent given by Mammon truly was, nor had he ever imagined he would drive Guardiola out of football.
It was as if he had forced out a revolutionary of the game.
If there are people who should leave when applauded and others who should never leave even when applauded, Pep belonged to the latter.
At least in Ho-young's view.
That was why his emotions were complex.
Perhaps it was guilt.
As a human being, and as a fellow footballer, his heart felt heavy.
But this was only the beginning.
More things will change from now on.
It was certain that events might unfold that would shake not only individuals around him but the entire football world.
Because of that, many lives would be altered.
It had always been that way, but only now did he truly feel it in his bones.
Ho-young was usually positive, but seeing this side of things unsettled him.
Noticing his expression, Raúl approached.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No."
"Then why do you look like that? Or are you nervous like the coach?"
"Nervous?"
"There's a high chance we'll beat Lyon and reach the Champions League final. He doesn't show it, but Scolari already seems excited. Maybe that's making you nervous too."
"The coach?"
"According to assistant coach Rubén, he's been coming in every morning with a big smile."
"Haha. I didn't know he had that side to him."
Right, that's it.
All the people he had crossed paths with.
Cha Bum-kun, Carlos, Kaká, Zidane, Ronaldo, Bernd, Scolari, and countless football fans around the world.
Ho-young had given them hope and joy.
Of course, there were those on the opposite side, but thinking that way would never end.
This was a burden he had to bear.
Let's think positively.
"Phew."
Thinking like that helped ease the pressure.
As always, Raúl helped without even realizing it.
It was nothing special, but for Ho-young it became an opportunity to solidify his resolve for the future.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For telling me something interesting."
"You're too serious. Focus on training. We can't take Lyon lightly."
"Of course."
The first leg of the semifinal was held on April 21 in Madrid.
Their opponent was France's powerhouse, Olympique Lyon.
They were the first club in one of Europe's top five leagues to win seven consecutive league titles, producing outstanding players such as Coupet, Juninho, Essien, Malouda, Abidal, and Benzema.
At the back stood the spider-handed Hugo Lloris, with veteran defender Cris and Jérémy Toulalan ahead of him. In midfield, Jean Makoun and Miralem Pjanić showed excellent chemistry.
Above all, the attacking trio of Lisandro López, Sidney Govou, and Gomis posed a serious threat.
They had already secured the Ligue 1 title with dominant performances.
But none of that proved a major threat to Real Madrid.
Net ripples.
"Gooooal! Gonzalo Higuaín fires home just five minutes into the match!"
The match, which began with excitement, flowed without much tension.
Real Madrid, who had built their strongest 4-2-3-1 lineup around Ho-young, never relinquished the lead once they took it.
The first leg ended in a comfortable 2-0 victory for Real Madrid.
Ho-young attempted 65 passes that day, completing over 90 percent and fully carrying out his role as the conductor.
It was a record that comfortably outperformed Lyon's playmaker Miralem Pjanić, who completed 32 passes.
With one assist to his name, Ho-young was officially named Man of the Match, achieving his tenth Champions League MOM award in just his second campaign.
Real Madrid's winning streak did not stop there.
"La Liga Round 34: Real Madrid defeat Zaragoza 4-0. 30 wins, 91 points. Just one more victory to secure the league title."
With a ten-point gap over Barcelona.
Real Madrid needed only two more points from the remaining four matches to clinch the title under the head-to-head rule.
It was virtually secured.
"Countdown to 100 points and 100 goals. Will La Liga see a new all-time record?"
"Real Madrid to receive approximately 9 million euro in prize money if they win the league. A significant increase from last season."
"Luis Scolari draws attention. Can he become a legendary manager by winning both the World Cup and the Champions League?"
The Real Madrid front office celebrated daily.
But at Valdebebas, as the decisive moment approached, the atmosphere grew more serious.
Fortunately, the second leg against Lyon on April 27 in France passed without major incident.
Although a few players picked up minor injuries, none were serious, and with careful management of fitness, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, securing their place in the final.
And the final opponent was decided the next day.
"Mourinho's Inter defeat Bayern Munich behind Milito's brace."
"Mourinho's Inter, on the verge of a treble, to face Real Madrid for the title of the strongest club in history."
The stage would be set on Saturday, May 22.
At the Santiago Bernabéu, host of the 2009-2010 Champions League final.
(To be continued.)