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Barcelona president Sandro Rosell hopeful Pep Guardiola will sign contract extension
The former B team coach has led the Catalans to 13 trophies since taking charge in 2008 and the club are becoming increasingly anxious as his current deal expires in the summer
10-Feb-2012 3:44:59 AM
By Mark Doyle
Getty
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell remains hopeful that coach Pep Guardiola will imminently extend his contract with the club.
Guardiola's current deal expires at the end of the season and the former B team coach has yet to give any indication as to whether he intends to remain at Camp Nou beyond the summer.
However, Rosell is quick to point out that the former Spain midfielder has never been quick to commit himself to a new contract.
"We are trying to do everything necessary to convince him to stay, of course, but it is his decision," the Barca supremo told CNN.
"I still hope to renew his contract because that is what he has been doing from year to year and I hope that he remains a part of this club for many more seasons. It's what all the fans want."
Meanwhile, Rosell admitted that he is delighted that star forward Lionel Messi has already been tied down to a long-term contract with the club.
"He is a gem," the 47-year-old Catalan said of the Argentine. "Not only as a player, but as a person. He is irreplaceable."
After booking their place in the final of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 victory over Valencia on Wednesday night in the second leg of their semi-final tie, Barca return to La Liga action this weekend when they take on Osasuna in Pamplona.
Guardiola's current deal expires at the end of the season and the former B team coach has yet to give any indication as to whether he intends to remain at Camp Nou beyond the summer.
However, Rosell is quick to point out that the former Spain midfielder has never been quick to commit himself to a new contract.
"We are trying to do everything necessary to convince him to stay, of course, but it is his decision," the Barca supremo told CNN.
"I still hope to renew his contract because that is what he has been doing from year to year and I hope that he remains a part of this club for many more seasons. It's what all the fans want."
Meanwhile, Rosell admitted that he is delighted that star forward Lionel Messi has already been tied down to a long-term contract with the club.
"He is a gem," the 47-year-old Catalan said of the Argentine. "Not only as a player, but as a person. He is irreplaceable."
After booking their place in the final of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 victory over Valencia on Wednesday night in the second leg of their semi-final tie, Barca return to La Liga action this weekend when they take on Osasuna in Pamplona.
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. The last extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
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