Official La Liga Thread

[Sam]

Sammy Lee would be a better choice.

[The Lusophone]

Pep Guardiola to end reign as Barcelona coach in summer

Pep Guardiola will stand down as Barcelona manager at theend of the season after deciding not to renew his rolling one-year contract.

The 41-year-old, who made 479 appearances for Barca between1990 and 2001, was appointed in 2008 and has led the Catalan club to 13trophies.

It is understood that Guardiola will take a year-long breakfrom the game.

A 1230 BST news conference has been called at the Nou Camp,where he is expected to explain the decision.

Guardiola spent three hours with Barca president SandroRosell on Thursday and informed his players on Friday morning.

He is the most successful coach in Barca history, with threeleague titles, two Champions Leagues and a Copa del Rey among his haul.

The former Spain midfielder has overseen the rise ofthree-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta,while signing Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

Guardiola was particularly close to Messi - describing himas "the best ever" player - while the Argentina forward suggestedGuardiola was the main factor behind Barca's recent success.

During talks which took place at Rosell's home in the city,Guardiola is thought to have said that he "could not go on".

What began as discussions over an extension to his deal soonturned into a push to keep Guardiola at the club.

Rosell is understood to have offered Guardiola unlimitedspending power this summer but the Catalan did not base his decision on money.

Guardiola, a former Barca captain, has always maintained hewould do what was best for the club.

[Lineker]

Pep is holding back the tears here

[Lineker]

Assistant Tito Vilanova is set to take over from Guardiola.

[METALMAN]

bet you £3 gladioli will be a failure in his next job

[Colly]

Is that a Scottish £3?

[METALMAN]

what. i don't get this. linker said something like this before as well.

[Colly]

That was my reference point.

[METALMAN]

crazy

[MJB]

Lionel Messi broke another record tonight, he scored a hat trick to take his total for this season upto 68 goals.

[Crybaby Bunting]

68 hat tricks? that's like 204 goals

[MJB]

[METALMAN]

I thought Messi was shit now :/

[GoN_]

And Real Madrid wins La Liga, after a 0-3 win against Bilbao in San Mames. Mourinho has been Champions in 4 different Leagues, the three most important ones, plus the Portuguese League. It's amazing how much the guy won in the last ten years.

[Dingle]

And Real Madrid wins La Liga, after a 0-3 win against Bilbao in San Mames. Mourinho has been Champions in 4 different Leagues, the three most important ones, plus the Portuguese League. It's amazing how much the guy won in the last ten years.

But could he do it on a rainy night in stoke ?

[GoN_]

And Real Madrid wins La Liga, after a 0-3 win against Bilbao in San Mames. Mourinho has been Champions in 4 different Leagues, the three most important ones, plus the Portuguese League. It's amazing how much the guy won in the last ten years.

But could he do it on a rainy night in stoke ?

I didn't get it.

[EddieG]

Well, yes, I'm sure he has.

[Matt]

Do you reckon Spanish football fans say things like "Yeah, that Van Persie's alright, but could he do it on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon in Gijon"?

[EddieG]

No, but mainly 'cause they play on Sunday evenings.

[Dingle]

Well, yes, I'm sure he has.

Eh-Uh.