Barcelona confirm Guardiola exit, Vilanova named successor

Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says coach Pep Guardiola will not continue as coach of the Spanish club after this season.

Guardiola’s contract ends at the close of the season and the former player has rejected Barcelona’s offer to extend his deal.

The 41-year-old coach has led Barcelona to 13 trophies since taking over at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, including two Champions League crowns and three Spanish league titles.

Guardiola, explaining his decision, apologised for the uncertainty over his future in recent months.

“I’ve always wanted short contracts because the pressure at Barcelona is so big,” Guardiola said. “I always thought that four years is an eternity for a coach.

“At the beginning of December, I announced to the president and the director of football that I was seeing the end of my era.

“It would not have been a good thing - for either me or the players - if I had continued. I leave with the feeling of a job well done. I’m proud to have been Barcelona’s coach. when I was told I was to manage the B team [in 2008>, I jumped for joy like a kid. But I don’t have that feeling anymore.”

Guardiola’s decision Friday ends a difficult week for the team that saw it exit the Champions League semifinals to Chelsea following a loss to Real Madrid which will likely cost it a fourth straight Spanish title. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said assistant coach Tito Vilanova will take over from Pep at the end of the season.

“The one who will replace me is very able to take this on. I don’t know what else to say, I better shut up,” Guardiola said.

Guardiola’s last game in charge will be the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on 25 May. He also dismissed suggestions he could take another job this summer. “Sooner or later I’ll take up another coaching job, but not right now,” he said.

President Sandro Rosell said: “Thank you, Pep, for all the happiness you have brought us and for bringing a model of football that can never be questioned. The thanks from everybody at Barcelona will be eternal for the best manager in the history of the club.”

AP