Pep Guardiola close to leaving club

Pep Guardiola is understood to be on the brink of ending his tenure as manager of Barcelona after telling the club he can not carry on.
The 41-year-old Catalan will announce his intentions at a press conference at the Nou Camp on Friday afternoon. And barring a last-minute change of heart, Guardiola is expected to confirm his departure from the club he has led to two Champions League titles.
The Barcelona manager has arranged to meet his players on Friday morning.

It is thought Guardiola will take a year-long break from football should he leave his post.

Guardiola spent three hours with Barcelona president Sandro Rossell on Thursday morning. During the talks, which took place at Rossell's private home in the city, Guardiola is understood to have expressed his belief that he could "not go on. What had begun as discussions over an extension to his one-year rolling contract soon turned into a push to keep Guardiola at the club. Rossell is understood to have offered Guardiola unlimited spending power this summer but the Catalan will not base his decision on money.

Guardiola, who captained the club as a player, has always maintained that he would do what was best for the club. He spent Thursday afternoon with his family and is expected to tell Rossell of his decision later tonight.

While it cannot be ruled out that Guardiola may change his mind, the club fear that the man who has led them to two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns has made his decision. The manner of the defeat by Real Madrid on Saturday, a result which effectively saw Barcelona relinquish their Primera Division title to Jose Mourinho's men and the Champions League defeat by Chelsea have prompted this rethink.

Rosell has, however, been firmly behind his manager in the wake of those results. "I hope that Josep is our coach next season", Rosell said on Wednesday. We have confidence in him; he is essential for our type of play."

Guardiola stepped up from manager of the Barcelona B in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club's illustrious history.
During his four-year tenure, Guardiola has won two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two Uefa Super Cups and two Fifa Club World Cups.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Think that United and Milan in recent years have proven that Chelseas win over them was no fluke albeit United beat Rijkard Barcelona. Each time they face a well organised team with a great defence they struggle and his lack of plan B has been shown up somewhat. They have played winning football for the most part but has little variety with a poor defence that is rarely tested.

Guardiola has done great things for Barcelona but have never considered him to be a great manager.

Crimey wrote:I think Rjikard's Barcelona were more exciting to watch, but not as effective. They were no way near as dominant in Spain and across Europe under Rjikard.

Monty, you're right about Enrique, only just realised that. I think the points still stand though, he would still go a similar route as Guardiola.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Chelsea played in a different way to Inter and United though and did limit Barcelona to a lot of relatively long range efforts which they don't usually do.

I'm probably in the minority but think that Rijkards Barcelona were a better team, far more dynamic with Ronaldinho and Eto'o than they are now, more strings to their bow and gave the impression they could score at any time against anyone.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Any version of Barcelona with Eto'o was better than the current version, biggest mistake Guardiola ever made was getting rid of him.

Hero wrote:I wonder if he would still have gone if Barca had won the Champions League or La Liga this year.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:

Hero wrote:I wonder if he would still have gone if Barca had won the Champions League or La Liga this year.

Erm... yes. One or two months ago he implied the pressure was too much.