Guardiola set to announce his future at Barca
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is likely to announce on Friday whether he is staying or leaving the club, a source close to the team said on Thursday.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: April 26, 2012 11:00 PM IST
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is likely to announce on Friday whether he is staying or leaving the club, a source close to the team said on Thursday.
"Everything points to the coach possibly making a statement on his future on Friday," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The fact that Guardiola has yet to sign a new Camp Nou contract has led to intense speculation on his future.
Guardiola, 41-year-old architect of one of Barcelona's most successful footballing eras, said Tuesday that he would be speaking to Barca president Sandro Rosell in the coming days to decide his future.
The Barca coach revealed he would be holding the pivotal meeting at a news conference after Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.
Barcelona's Champions League exit and their loss to Real Madrid on Saturday - which led Guardiola to concede the league title will go to Madrid - has led some to speculate about a mini-slump.
But Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said Monday he was convinced that Guardiola will continue at the helm.
"I think he's going to keep going - he loves this club, he loves his profession," he said. "I think there is no bigger passion for him than football and FC Barcelona. So really I bet he will be with us next year."
Spain's press was filled with rumours on Thursday about Guardiola's possible departure but none of the reports quoted named sources and the club declined to comment.