Why Souness rejected Barcelona when he left Liverpool
Graeme Souness has revealed he turned down Barcelona when leaving Liverpool in 1984, choosing Sampdoria instead. The move reflected his need for a three-year contract and Italy’s appeal as the destination for leading players; he later won an Italian Cup before joining Rangers.
Souness said Barcelona offered him two years, which did not meet his needs, while Sampdoria wanted an experienced player for a young team. He also discussed his management style, saying it would be poorly suited to today’s football, and argued that Rangers have gained a psychological edge over Celtic after two September wins.
- Souness rejected Barcelona’s two-year offer for Sampdoria.
- He needed a three-year deal and saw Italy as the place to play.
- He believes Rangers have a psychological edge over Celtic.
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Graeme Souness is a former Liverpool captain who played in midfield and later became a manager. In 1984, as he prepared to leave Liverpool, Barcelona and the Italian club Sampdoria were among his options.
Barcelona offered a two-year deal, while Souness wanted a contract lasting three years. Sampdoria, then building a young side, wanted an experienced player; Souness went on to win the Italian Cup with the club before later joining Rangers.
The choice came amid a period when leading players were increasingly drawn to Italian football. Souness’s career also linked him to Rangers, where he later managed, making his views on the club’s rivalry with Celtic part of his public profile.