The Catalan coach announced that he will take a year off from footballing responsibilities as he vacates the managerial position at the Camp Nou in favour of Tito Vilanova.
Spanish topflight football’s 2011/12 season has been particularly rough on Barcelona. Despite the fact that the Catalan club are on course of adding a fourth trophy to their cabinets come the end of campaign, they will be parting company with beloved coach
Pep Guardiola.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 youth academy graduate has enjoyed success at all levels with the club, being part of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team and then in his own managerial career. Guardiola won an impressive 13 titles in his four year reign, a number that can increase
in his final outing with the club in the Copa del Rey.
With footballing duties taking his toil on personal life and health, the 41-year-old earlier revealed that he will not be renewing his contact with La Blaugrana and will take time off.
Ahead of his final La Liga match in charge of Barcelona, Guardiola revealed that he does not have any plans for the future and is looking forward to his sabbatical year.
He added that a year’s break is the only certainty in his plans, and will take a decision on his possible route only at the culmination of that period.
I will rest for a year and then we will see," he said while talking to reporters at a press conference. "I do not have any plans, not even plans to coach again.”
"I will do something, but you will not be seeing me that much."
Guardiola then went on to talk about Tito Vilanova, who will take charge of managerial responsibilities after his departure.
"It is very hard to say if we will work together in the future," he noted. "He gave everyone a lesson in bravery and courage when he decided to take over the team.”
"I hope Tito will be here for a long time, that would be a sign that things had gone well.”
"I learned that Tito would replace me the same day of the press conference in which I announced that I was leaving."
Barcelona play their final La Liga match of the season against Real Betis.
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