Barcelona President Joan Laporta: Guardiola Needs Calm To Decide Contract

Joan Laporta Hails Accomplishments Of Pep Guardiola & Txiki Begiristain At Barcelona

Jan 18, 2010 4:48:00 PM

Barca's president had high praise for his two principal appointments...

Barca president Joan Laporta vouched for both coach Pep Guardiola and secretary general Txiki Begiristain's to continue their work with the Blaugrana next season as both have contracts that expire on June 30.

Laporta declared in a press conference reported by Sport that he viewed the fact that other clubs were interested in Guardiola as "normal" since he is "the best coach in the world and we cannot avoid that he would have propositions."

The Barca supremo demonstrated his confidence that Pep would stay at the Catalunyan capital citing the coach's "long history at Barcelona" and his ability to give a lot to the Blaugrana faithful.

"We want to extend his contract as soon as possible to make the future more certain, but we have to wait a bit as I am sure he [Guardiola] needs to take some time to reflect. He needs tranquility to make this decision."

With respect to Begiristain, Laporta called the secretary general's appointment, "the best sporting decision he has every made in his seven years as club president" citing Txiki's great signings of players, coaches and club officials.

Laporta also revealed that he had wished Guardiola a very happy 39th birthday on Sunday (the coach's birthday is on Monday) and in his press conference today, took his cell phone out of his pocket before the cameras and sent a text message to the Barca coach saying, "To many more years, and many more at Barca."

Laporta also added a congratulations to Barca star Lionel Messi, who scored his 100th and 101st goals for the Blaugrana in Saturday's match against Sevilla.

"At just 22 years old, he already has the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year award, 101 goals, and is the leader of Barca – and all of this without the success having gone to his head. He continues to be humble and works very hard. He is splendid."

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