Pep Guardiola To End Reign As Barcelona Coach In Summer

Pep Guardiola To End Reign As Barcelona Coach In Summer

Pep Guardiola To End Reign As Barcelona Coach In Summer Pep Guardiola will stand down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season after deciding not to renew his rolling one-year contract.

The 41-year-old, who made 479 appearances for Barca between 1990 and 2001, was appointed in 2008 and has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies.

But they look set to miss out to Real Madrid in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.

It is understood that Guardiola will take a year-long break from the game.

An 1100 BST news conference has been called at the Nou Camp, where he is expected to explain the decision.

Guardiola is the most successful coach in Barca history, with three league titles, two Champions Leagues and a Copa del Rey among his haul.

Meanwhile Guardiola has said the Champions League semi-final defeat by Chelsea may force his side to change their tactics, but insists they played 'exceptionally well' in defeat.

'I've transmitted this crazy theme of 'you have to go out and attack, attack, attack',' said Guardiola.

'Maybe it's a lesson for the future? We have to find the way to attack better.'

The 41-year-old said he would decide whether to renew his Barcelona contract in 'the next few days'.

He added: 'We'll talk about everything and then take a decision because it's evident that it's time to.'

Guardiola has had a series of one-year contracts at the Nou Camp since first taking up the reins in 2008 and had been linked with the Chelsea job in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas's departure from Stamford Bridge in March.

source: BBC