Pep Guardiola Leaving Barcelona, To Be Replaced As Coach By Tito Vilanova

Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola watches his team play Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final on April 24, 2012.

By Goal.com

Pep Guardiola has announced that he will leave his position as Barcelona coach at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

The 41-year-old already informed his squad of his decision to move on earlier on Friday, and the successful trainer has now publicly confirmed that he will not extend his expiring contract with Barcelona.

The club also announced that Guardiola's assistant coach Tito Vilanova will take over as head coach following the season.

The former Spain international has won three La Liga and two Champions League titles during his time as Barcelona coach, a post which he inherited from Frank Rijkaard in 2008 after previously leading the club's 'B' team.

"I want you to understand this isn't a simple decision. but I'll try to explain what I feel and I hope that people understand. I'm deeply sorry for the confusion over the last few weeks," Guardiola stated at a press conference.

"I've always wanted short contracts because the demand at Barca is so big. I lived that as a player, and I know exactly how it works. I always thought that four years is an eternity for a club. I didn't want to have a contract that will bind me to decisions I didn't want.

He also hinted that his mind has been made up for some time.

"In the autumn, I announced to the president and director of football that it was the end of my era at Barca, but I couldn't say that to the players, because it would have been too complex then," said Guardiola. "Now that we're out of the two main competitions, it's a good time to announce."

The successful coach then went on to stress that the main reason for his departure is the exhaustive nature of the job.

"Four years get everyone tired," he said. "I told the chairman that my era was nearing its end around September-October. The new coach will be able to give things I'm not able to give any more. Talking to the press and players for four years is very demanding. Perhaps we wouldn't have gone wrong, but I had a feeling that we would. I know what I'm leaving - that it's the best place, but it's the right time."

Guardiola went on to thank his players, and stressed that he needs time to recharge his battery.

"I want to thanks my players who have been responsible for everything I have had here - it's been a privilege to train them. I did it all with a lot of passion,, but I want to thank the players. Day by day, for so many years, they made it all possible"

"I don't have any energy left, I need to recharge. I need to recover the feeling that I had when I first started - time has taken its toll. I just don't feel the same - Barca don't deserve that. That's all I'm going to say. I'm going with the understanding that I've done my duty, and I'm proud of everything I did. This club is an unstoppable force. My replacement will be very able, and will do his job marvellously."

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Comments

[toastt]

04:25 PM on 04/29/2012

Sir Alex must be laughing, Stress after 4 years...imagine how fergie is feeling after 25.

[GeeCan]

11:33 PM on 04/29/2012

No doubt. Sir Alex will go down as the best club manager of all time. Phenomenal man and insane longevity while still keeping his team at the top or near the top of the table, year after year.

[GeeCan]

03:57 PM on 04/27/2012

Class, like the one shown by Pep, is hard to come by. The world saw a team with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, etc. and most think, "How could he fail with players like that?" But if you were to give those players to 1000 coches, you'd be lucky to get 1 who could build such team chemistry. Everything looks easy after the titles are won, but it's the hardest thing in the world.

Visca Barcelona, visca Pep Guardiola!

[CoronaDischarge]

08:19 PM on 04/27/2012

I'm not willing to be quite so generous. It's been a fabulous run, and he rightly should be in for a great share of the credit, I agree. But this year, at the end, as a strategist, he was unable to craft a formula against Chelsea for instance, even when he was a man up. Chelsea packed the middle and they kept hammering where they weren't going to get through. He may be a great skills coach, and great at handling talent, but successful coaches find ways to change, bold changes if necessary and win. Frankly, I think he was out coached by DiMatteo, who arguably can in no possible accounting be considered to have had the team with better talent.

[GeeCan]

12:44 PM on 04/29/2012

When DiMatteo has half the titles won by Guardiola, let's pick this up again. "Parking the bus in front of goal" is not very creative yet I concede that it's sometimes effective when everything aligns. Credit to Chelsea, they found a way to win. Barcelona was tired and weary. They lost Villa to a compound fracture and Abidal to liver failure while Iniesta, Pique, Adriano, Xavi, Cesc, Alexis and Puyol went in and out of injury. After an marvelous 4 years, these guys were worn out. I think it's less about some strategic genius on the part of DiMatteo or a failure on the part of Guardiola than it is about a team who has had to fight (and win) too many titles in the span of 4 years. What goes up, comes down. It's time for them to add new blood and re-energize themselves.

[TheBestPatriot]

03:03 PM on 04/27/2012

I'd take Pep. I don't have a football club, though.

[Just walkin the dog here]

02:02 PM on 04/27/2012

Smart guy to recognize that stress is a factor on long-term health. he does need to recharge, vacation, sit on a beach, order little drinks with tiny umbrellas, sleep late, whatever. then when you want, come back. Well deserved rest, and thanks for the great coaching.

[jubo]

01:59 PM on 04/27/2012

Beats a life of anxiolytics.

There's always the ladies' volleyball team...

[PedroLeon]

12:44 PM on 04/27/2012

We're witnessing the end of an era in football. This Barca team will go down as one of the best in history and Pep's name deserves to be up there there with Messi, Iniesti and Xavi.

It's too bad most Americans don't even know who Pep Guardiola is.

[Six Gator]

02:07 PM on 04/27/2012

I think a lot more people than you might realize, know this great team...
People talk about the American arrogance, but what about yours? You're pizzed and passing judgement because you assume Americans dont know or like your great game?....
They dont owe YOU, Spain or this brand of futbol anything!
Like what you like, and be happy. Why are you worried about whether most Americans do or dont know about a Spainish Coach?...Do Spainards routinely talk about great American Football Coaches?, or BASEBALL Coaching legends?..I doubt it!!

His teams were pretty well stacked, and he did a great job....That's all.

[PedroLeon]

03:20 PM on 04/27/2012

That was a terrific over-reaction to an objectively true statement. Most Americans don't know who Pep Guardiola is.

[TheBestPatriot]

03:04 PM on 04/27/2012

Baloney. Many Americans know who Pep Guardiola is.

[PedroLeon]

03:18 PM on 04/27/2012

Please, reread the sentence with which you took issue. I didn't say it's too bad no American knows Pep G. I said most Americans don't know Pep G. That is a true statement.

[dah01p]

12:31 PM on 04/27/2012

God, we need coaches of his caliber here in the States.

[PedroLeon]

12:41 PM on 04/27/2012

We need soccer of this caliber in the states first.

[dah01p]

03:32 PM on 04/27/2012

Case of chicken or the egg then? :)

[PirateJohn]

05:55 PM on 04/29/2012

You can't say that MLS hasn't improved incredibly in its 16 years. There are clubs in Europe drooling to get some of the top MLS players on their squads, if only on loan.

[yatim99]

11:18 AM on 04/27/2012

One of the classiest personalities in the World of Sports; he will sorely be missed, let's hope that Tito can carry over... Adeu, Pepe! Visca Barca! Som i Serem!!!

[RespectMyAuthoritah]

10:58 AM on 04/27/2012

The saddest day of my life.

Not only was he a classy guy, humble in victory and gracious in defeat, but having learned a lot about him over the past 4 years, his philosophy has taught me many things. Among them, is how to be a good human being.

I cried when I read he was leaving. That's how much he means to us (Barca). I wish him and his family the best of luck in their new adventures.

Gracies per tot Pep. Thank you for everything.

[kegworker13]

09:28 AM on 04/27/2012

A flat-out winner.

Classy.

"...know when to walk away..."

[chiodo08]

09:28 AM on 04/27/2012

What a class guy... no excuses or spinning...just straight up "burnt out"...I can't imagine that level of pressure for 4 years straight....take a year off, coach your kids team and maybe go to a club of underdogs to see what you can do...

[Ximena Alarcon Lissa]

09:03 AM on 04/27/2012

Gracies Pep por tot!!!
The best coach ever so far.... Welcome Tito Vilanova!
VISCA BARCA