…. .despite winning six trophies in his debut season Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola’s future remains very uncertain, yet the outgoing club president Joan Laporta is urging supporters to give the former midfielder time to “plot his next move”. Laporta’s plea comes at time during which Barcelona must not only come to terms with the coach’s contract expiration at the end of the season, but also the end of Laporta’s presidential term of office.
…. .despite winning six trophies in his debut season
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola’s future remains very uncertain, yet the outgoing club president Joan Laporta is urging supporters to give the former midfielder time to "plot his next move”.
Laporta’s plea comes at time during which Barcelona must not only come to terms with the coach’s contract expiration at the end of the season, but also the end of Laporta’s presidential term of office.
"Pep needs adequate time to reflect on a decision that is extremely important to one’s life.
"He’s been in charge for Barcelona’s best period... He is aware that he has a responsibility to keep winning.
"Renewing his deal is a vital question in a sporting sense, not a familiar sense, so he needs to have that conviction that he can carry on picking up victories,” Laporta told the club’s TV.
Barcelona have won all six competitions they have contested since Guardiola took charge 18 months ago but the 38-year-old has yet to reveal whether he will extend his contract beyond the current season.
The former Spanish international is giving little away about his plans, leaving it to the Spanish media to speculate that he could be waiting to see who will succeed Laporta after next year’s elections or that he is exhausted and plans to take a break.
Guardiola has made history as the first coach to win six trophies in just as a single season. Victory in the Fifa World Club Championship last weekend, allowed Barca to add a sixth piece of silverware of what has been a memorable 2009.
On top of the World Club title, the Catalan club has also won the Champions League, Spanish league, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup and European Supercup.
Media reports in Spain are speculating that Guardiola is "exhausted” and is "thinking of stepping aside” at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Of course, if what is being reported in the uncompromising Spanish media is true, then Guardiola would not have picked the best time to retire, if indeed that’s what he’s contemplating to do after just one two years of coaching at the highest level.
Nevertheless, no sane club would let go a coach it sees has the potential to become the most successful in the club’s history, without putting up a real fight.
Messi revels in "historic year”
Lionel Messi was on Monday rewarded for a spectacular year in which he helped Barcelona to six trophies.
The Argentina forward, who was named FIFA’s World Player of the Year, scored winning goals against Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome and against last Saturday when Barcelona came from behind to beat Estudiantes 2-1 to win the Club World Cup, the first in the club’s history.
Upon receiving the award, the first for an Argentinian player, Messi said, ‘I’m extremely happy. We’ve just ended a historic year in which we won every competition we played in.’
The 22-year-old got the award barely a month after being crowned the 2009 Ballon d’Or winner.
‘CR9’ makes his CL final wish
Real Madrid’s former Fifa World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo has come out with his wish for the Champions League final….and it’s to meet arch-rivals Barcelona.
The final will be staged at the Santiago Bernabeu, and former Manchester United winger would love a "dream” final against the defending champions.
"I hope to see Barca in the Champions League final and win,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying.
The Portuguese captain, winner of the competition in 2008, was on the losing side as Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona.
Now with such a wish, it wouldn’t be wrong to guess ‘CR9’ wants to have his revenge!