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Guardiola not ready to decide on Barca deal
Source: Agencies |
February 19, 2012, Sunday
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BARCELONA coach Pep Guardiola is still putting off a decision on extending his contract beyond the end of this season, saying yesterday he needed more time to make up his mind whether to remain in charge of the Spanish, European and world champion.
"Right now I would rather take a bit more time and when I have decided I'll inform the club," the 41-year-old former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, who prefers to renew his deal on an annual basis, told a news conference.
"I know that I would not be better off somewhere else but I need to feel it," he added ahead of Barcelona's Spanish La Liga game at home to Valencia today.
"I cannot work at such a demanding club if I don't have strength. I don't have it clear in my mind, that's why I am not saying whether the cycle has ended or whether I will extend. If the club sets a deadline we'll talk and I'll decide. In the meantime, I'll focus on the day-to-day."
Public pressure
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell is desperate to persuade Guardiola, who has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies since taking over in 2008, to stay on, although he has refrained from putting too much public pressure on him.
Guardiola waited until February 8 last year before agreeing a new deal and went on to capture a third straight La Liga title and a second Champions League crown, as well as the Spanish and European Super Cups and the Club World Cup.
Barcelona's grip on the domestic title appears to be slipping this term and Real Madrid can extend its advantage over its arch rival to 13 points with a win at home to Racing Santander yesterday.
Guardiola praised Barcelona's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who is set to make his 200th league appearance for the club today, calling the Argentine the most competitive player he had seen.
The 24-year-old has netted 142 goals in 199 matches since making his La Liga debut as a 17-year-old against Espanyol in October 2004 and has 23 in 22 games this season, four behind Real forward and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Right now I would rather take a bit more time and when I have decided I'll inform the club," the 41-year-old former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, who prefers to renew his deal on an annual basis, told a news conference.
"I know that I would not be better off somewhere else but I need to feel it," he added ahead of Barcelona's Spanish La Liga game at home to Valencia today.
"I cannot work at such a demanding club if I don't have strength. I don't have it clear in my mind, that's why I am not saying whether the cycle has ended or whether I will extend. If the club sets a deadline we'll talk and I'll decide. In the meantime, I'll focus on the day-to-day."
Public pressure
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell is desperate to persuade Guardiola, who has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies since taking over in 2008, to stay on, although he has refrained from putting too much public pressure on him.
Guardiola waited until February 8 last year before agreeing a new deal and went on to capture a third straight La Liga title and a second Champions League crown, as well as the Spanish and European Super Cups and the Club World Cup.
Barcelona's grip on the domestic title appears to be slipping this term and Real Madrid can extend its advantage over its arch rival to 13 points with a win at home to Racing Santander yesterday.
Guardiola praised Barcelona's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who is set to make his 200th league appearance for the club today, calling the Argentine the most competitive player he had seen.
The 24-year-old has netted 142 goals in 199 matches since making his La Liga debut as a 17-year-old against Espanyol in October 2004 and has 23 in 22 games this season, four behind Real forward and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
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