Guardiola’s delay over signing new contract alerts foreign clubs

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has always been clear that he will stay at the helm for as long as he enjoys the role and then will move away, but his failure to agree a new deal is causing concern at the club.
In the summer of 2008, Guardiola signed a two-year contract to manage the first team at Barça and the success that the club has enjoyed since means that the club are eager for him to extend his stay but at the same time it has led to interest from abroad.
As a player Guardiola knew when it was time for him to leave and seek new adventures at other clubs, moving to Italy, Qatar and Mexico before finally hanging up his boots. His mentor has put a time period of three years on how long he expects him to stay but it could be shorter still if no deal is reached by the end of the season.
With most talk on who will replace Joan Laporta as president, there has been little discussion over the future of Guardiola but the fact is that no agreement has been made and his agent admits that he has been approached by Inter Milan in Italy as well as several Premiership clubs, over his availability.
Laporta and Guardiola have arranged to discuss the subject in January after the Christmas break but it cannot be taken for granted that he will stay and this is not down to a question of money but the desire of Guardiola and his refusal to be used as a pawn in the election campaign. The fact that he has already won everything on offer and the effort that has gone into this is also an important factor.
“It has been difficult to enjoy the success because there is always an important game around the corner. We have achieved something amazing but I am left with the feeling that we have not been able to really enjoy it,” he said after winning the World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi.