Guardiola quits Barcelona
Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola gives a press conference in Barcelona on April 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO/
BARCELONA,
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola announced Friday he is leaving the club at the end of the season, ending a four-year reign over one of the greatest eras in club football.
"Four years is an eternity as Barca coach," the 41-year-old Guardiola, dressed in a grey V-necked sweater and white collared shirt, told a news conference packed with journalists and players.
"That's four years, with time everything runs out of steam. I am drained and I need to take a step back and replenish."
Guardiola stood and embraced club president Sandro Rosell after making his statement from the podium.
Barcelona have appointed Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova as the successor to coach Pep Guardiola, who announced Friday he is leaving the club after four hugely successful years at the helm.
Vilanova, 42, played only briefly as a professional in Spain's top flight but has worked as an assistant coach under Guardiola.
