FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.01.2010 13:35

Pep will stay for another season

Roger Bogunyà

At lunchtime on Wednesday, FC Barcelona announced that Pep Guardiola will continue as first team manager next season. He will sign a new contract at the end of the season once the new President of FC Barcelona has been elected.

After several days of rumours and counter rumours, FC Barcelona has confirmed that Josep Guardiola will be continuing as first team manager next season. The clamour of support for the young Catalan manager – from the Club offices, from the fans and from Facebook – was unanimous.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Club president Joan Laporta and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain, together with Josep Guardiola himself, confirmed that Guardiola would remain in charge of the team next season.

The new contract will not be signed until the end of the current season with the new President installed at the club. For the moment, Josep Guardiola has expressed his desire to stay for at least another season as first team coach, giving his word to the club on the matter.

A fantastic record

Josep Guardiola came up through the youth ranks of FC Barcelona and became reserve team coach on 21st June 2007. In his first season with Barça Atlètic, they finished top of the division and won promotion.

In Rijkaard’s shoes

His excellent campaign with the reserves earned Josep the chance to replace Frank Rijkaard . He was officially unveiled as first team coach on 17th June 2008 and, once again, he needed just one season to win everything going: Cup, league, Champions League.

In his second season in charge of the senior squad, Josep Guardiola has already won the Spanish Super Cup, the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup, putting a final flourish to an unforgettable 2009 . Guardiola – the Barça manager of the six Cups.