Guardiola coy on Barca future

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refuses to speculate on how long he will remain at the Camp Nou after signing a one-year contract extension.

A product of the club’s youth academy and a European Cup winner as a player, Guardiola has enjoyed extraordinary success since his promotion from youth coach to first-team manager in 2008.

The 40-year-old won the treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in his first season in charge and followed it up with a second league title in 2009/10.

Club officials are desperate to tie their prized asset to a long-term deal, but Guardiola insists he will not accept a significantly extended contract while he is still unsure of his own long-term ambitions.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Guardiola said.

“If I could, I’d renew my contract every half a year. But that isn’t possible. I need to see if I still have the desire and strength, and if the players are still ok. People say that everything is thanks to the players and the manager, it isn’t though – it’s down to everyone. When one part fails, then you have to react.”

“This is natural, and when we go our separate ways it will be because these things happen. It’s not a reason to be angry; it will simply be because things aren’t going well. Everything erodes with time, and we have to be very aware of this.”

Guardiola also showed his customary tact when pressed on the issue of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Barca officials have made no secret of their desire to bring the former youth team player back to Catalonia, but on this occasion Guardiola refrained from further antagonizing their forthcoming Champions League opponents.

“It is a lack of respect to Arsenal to talk too much about him,” he said.

“He is one of their players, and if we sign him then it will be to a long-term contract and even then, only if Arsenal sell him. We will see then whether it is a possibility or not.”

“He is an Arsenal player, and we can’t lack respect for him, his club and his manager.”

“There is no offer on the table, and there won’t be until Arsenal say publically that they want to sell the player. Until Mr Wenger and Cesc decide otherwise, he is their player.”