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| Pep Guordiola |
It is thought Guardiola will take a year-long break from football should he leave his post.
He spent three hours yesterday with Barcelona president Sandro Rosell. During the talks, which took place at Rosell’s home in the city, Guardiola is understood to have expressed his belief that he could "not go on".
What had begun as discussions over an extension to his one-year rolling contract soon turned into a push to keep Guardiola at the club. Rosell is understood to have offered Guardiola unlimited spending power this summer but the Catalan will not base his decision on money.
Guardiola, who captained the club as a player, has always maintained that he would do what was best for the club. He spent last night with his family and was expected to tell Rosell of his decision later.
While it cannot be ruled out that Guardiola may change his mind, the club fear has made his decision.
The manner of the defeat by Real Madrid last Saturday, a result which effectively saw Barcelona relinquish their Primera Division title to Jose Mourinho’s men, and the Champions League defeat by Chelsea have prompted this rethink.
Rosell has, however, been firmly behind his manager in the wake of those results.
"I hope that Josep is our coach next season," Rosell said on Wednesday. "We have confidence in him; he is essential for our type of play."
Guardiola stepped up from manager of Barcelona B in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club’s illustrious history.
During his four-year tenure, he has won two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.
His departure will prompt inevitable British tabloid speculation that he could be a contender to become the new England manager, but that is not the case.
In more bad news for Barca, it has been revealed midfielder Xavi could miss the rest of the Primera Division season because of a calf muscle tear.
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