Barcelona paid an emotional tribute to departing Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Key stars of the first team, including club captain Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas watched Guardiola deliver his farewell speech at the Nou Camp, applauding him after announcing an end to his glorious trophy-laden four-year era

Barcelona also revealed that Guardiola's No 2 Tito Vilanova will take over the managerial reigns next season.
'I would like you to understand that this is not an easy decision for me. But I would like to explain my reasons for this decision,' said Guardiola.

'I have always wanted short-term contracts. Four years is an eternity as Barca coach. In the month of October I announced to the president and to the sporting director that I thought my spell was coming to an end.The main reason why I have taken this decision is because four years is many years.

'I have given everything and I have nothing left and need to recharge my batteries.

'The demands have been great and I have not been able to rest much. I have to recover and the only way I can do that is by distancing myself. Otherwise, we would have ended up damaging each other.

'I know that I'm leaving the best place to work in. I am very satisfied with the result we have achieved. I have had the great privilege of coaching fantastic players. I want to thank them.'At the same press conference, Barca president Sandro Rosell announced Vilanova would step up into the top job.

Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta felt promoting from within, as they did with Guardiola, was the best way forward.

He said: 'We've always said that if the team needs players, we look at home first (Barca B). Who do we have here at home? Tito.'

The move to name a replacement so swiftly was a surprise with speculation in Spain linking the likes of Ernesto Valverde, Laurent Blanc and Marcelo Bielsa with the position once it became clear Guardiola was heading for the exit.

Guardiola's decision comes after a bad week for the Catalan giants following their midweek Champions League exit to Chelsea and their La Liga title collapse after last Saturday's defeat to Real Madrid.

The 41-year-old said it would have been a 'bad idea' to continue, sparking a scramble for his services this summer, placing the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City on alert.

Guardiola's contract was due to expire at the end of June and he informed the players at training today that he would not be extending his stay at the Nou Camp.


Source

Gud for him

Great move

Chelsea sacks Guardiola

Pep Guardiola quits Barcelona: Watch press conferencehere http:///B00pR9zD


The guy see heat he run! Abeg come EPL maybe u go replicate the Barca run! Ask Wenger n Fergie!

he should have left when the ovation was loudest. why allow Maurinho to boot him out? why resigning when he is losing important matches?

somze: Chelsea sacks Guardiola

junky don't u understand d concept of finding a new challenge he will continue to prove in d near future dat morinho is second 2 him.

somze: Chelsea sacks Guardiola

you re wrong. He is going to recharge his battery.
His team plays the best football the world has ever known and he is going on a one year break to go and research on a new football pattern thereby inventing A NEW STYLE OF FOOTBALL.
This is what Greatness entails.

Im still surprised at his decision. It looks weird for a young manager that has been so successful in such a big club over the past few years. He has his reasons however, Farewell Guardiola.

Pep remains one of the best things that has happened to modern day futbol...Barca got to the climax of soccer ever. I wish him well as he ponders on where next to transform.

13 trophies in 4 season. No be beanz

Indeed. The blues are something else.

Canisma:
you re wrong. He is going to recharge his battery.
His team plays the best football the world has ever known and he is going on a one year break to go and research on a new football pattern thereby inventing A NEW STYLE OF FOOTBALL.
This is what Greatness entails.

afraid of not winning a tile in the next 3 years, knowing fully well that jose is gonna win them all, so, he had to run away on time

somze: Chelsea sacks Guardiola

Gbam

Pep,d end of an era by Chelsea! We showed d world how to beat Barca, quickly picked by Madrid & sure oda clubs to follow. But b4 it turn to disgrace (lyk ManUtd), a good orator leaves d stage.... I'm in love wt a man of principle lyk Pep. Won't be surp rice if he landed himself @d Bridge (tinking aloud dough)

neyyo: Pep Guardiola quits Barcelona: Watch press conferencehere http:///B00pR9zD


The guy see heat he run! Abeg come EPL maybe u go replicate the Barca run! Ask Wenger n Fergie!

The same Fergie he beat in the final of the Champions League twice. First as a Rookie. Please even Bilbao kids beat Fergusson. EPL = Too much hype. 3 Spanish teams in Europa league semi finals and two Spanish teams in Champions League semi finals. Yet EPL is superior. Pep has done well, wish him the best.

k'nash:
13 trophies in 4 season. No be beanz

u are right man,i think he is the most successful barcelona coach in history

hmmm... what a great career to a great coach. 4years of active service and demand is indeed triumphant. Pep did well, you can't win all but yet he has proved to the world that football is good to behold. Even those that hate barcelona dominance do know that the football been played is exceptional. we enjoyed beautiful, lovely,dominating and passionate football. So to pep, well done. 13 trophies in 16 is not an easy ride... try cap it up with the copa del roy!!!!!! we barca fans say 'you have done us proud'. Gracias Pep......

[size=20pt]Smart move. Leave when the ovation is loud..............No straight to chelsea[/size]

You can say whatever u lyk but Pep has done what no manager has done: winning 13 trophies in 3 yrs. Wish him gudluck in his next endevour.

Chelsea don give Pep run

isleman: he should have left when the ovation was loudest. why allow Maurinho to boot him out? why resigning when he is losing important matches?

dumb response.it has always been speculated that pep would leave when his contract expires.he might have lost important matches,but barca wanted him to stay

That is what chelsea can do to a great man career...I guess messi is d next...chelsea una too much

With Pep gone, hopefully barca players can stop diving. [size=14pt][/size]

Pep to Chelsea

though am not barcelona fan.. Buh i think pep wrote his name in gold.. And he is about exit at the right time... 13 trophies in just 4years.. Thats heavy... Big kudos to him... Honour to who honour is due

psalm 20: Pep to Chelsea

God 4bid.. We want either mourinho or roberto di'matteao aka mr gudluck

gardiola with barca gave us th best footbal in recent times.loved watching gardiolas team play it was poetry in motion.thanks for the good times mr gardiola

k'nash:
13 trophies in 4 season. No be beanz

nor lie d guy too much.that makes him a successfull man.bros Pep go rest jaree!

Clap!Clap!!Clap!!!He has tryd,thurs really nutin 2give."let me recharge my batteries"

the plot is simple, pep has always said if he leaves barca there is only one club he can coach in england that is man united, and with baba fergie getting set to retire in like 2014, i see pep resting a while then taking over from where sir ferguson left off.