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Former Barcelona president Laporta: Guardiola deserves time to decide future
The Blaugrana boss, who has won 13 titles since taking charge, has yet to give any indication as to whether he will continue on at Camp Nou beyond the end of the season
Feb 22, 2012 4:47:00 AM
By Mark Doyle
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that coach Pep Guardiola has earned the right to take as long as he wants to decide his future.
Guardiola has won 13 titles since taking charge of the Catalan outfit just under four years ago, but he is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to give any indication as to whether he will sign a new one-year extension with the club.
Barca fans are becoming increasingly agitated but Laporta is preaching patience, arguing that Guardiola deserves time to make up his mind.
"He's giving it all as a coach and he will a thoughtful and reasoned decision – and it shall be respected by the club,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
"He always said he would renew every year and he has every right to take time to think before making an important decision.
“I understand this period of reflection. Guardiola is sufficiently mature and intelligent [to do this]."
Guardiola, a former Spain international, coached the Barcelona B team before succeeding Frank Rijkaard as first team boss in 2008.
Guardiola has won 13 titles since taking charge of the Catalan outfit just under four years ago, but he is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to give any indication as to whether he will sign a new one-year extension with the club.
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Barca fans are becoming increasingly agitated but Laporta is preaching patience, arguing that Guardiola deserves time to make up his mind.
"He's giving it all as a coach and he will a thoughtful and reasoned decision – and it shall be respected by the club,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
"He always said he would renew every year and he has every right to take time to think before making an important decision.
“I understand this period of reflection. Guardiola is sufficiently mature and intelligent [to do this]."
Guardiola, a former Spain international, coached the Barcelona B team before succeeding Frank Rijkaard as first team boss in 2008.
Since November, Goal.com has been publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. The very last extract, which was published last Friday, looks at Andres Iniesta's risky return from injury in the 2009 Champions League Final and how he was described by Wayne Rooney as the 'best midfielder in the world'. Don't miss it!
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