20.01.2010 13:35
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.
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