Goodbye Pep Guardiola: In Pictures

Pep Guardiola: 'Being Barcelona coach for four years is an eternity'

At last Friday's press conference Pep Guardiola, coach of FC Barcelona for the past 4 years, announced that he is calling it quits at the end of the season. Guardiola helped Barcelona to victory with 13 trophies and a 14^th on the way if they win the Copa del Rey later this month vs. Athletic Bilbao.

It was an emotional presser with all four captains present, and a few other players showing up. They were stunned. Even exactly one week before his press conference, Xavi was quoted saying, "It is imperative that Pep continues here. He's a key figure, and perhaps even the most important person at the club."

People were also surprised to hear that Tito Vilanova was being promoted at the same time. To me, I asked, why is that surprising? He knows the players, the system and the tactics better than anyone else. Pep and Tito grew up together in La Masia and are a close pair. Tito was Barcelona B's assistant coach from 2007-2008 and moved up to Barcelona's first team assistant coach with Pep in 2008. Last October he did have a successful surgery to remove a tumor, but he is fully recovered and has had no problems since. He deserves this promotion and we have to trust he will do great. Tito's first day will be July 1, the day of the Euro 2012 final.

Next year will be different emotionally but not so much technically. I can't imagine Tito changing too much of what Pep has put in place. For Pique, Cesc and Messi it will be a reunion as Tito coached them at the youth level.

"Tito is more than capable. The players know him. He will make few changes. He will give the club and these players something that I thought I could no longer," Guardiola claimed.

As for his first signing... Barcelona need another defender (if anything) such as Jordi Alba, to replace Abidal if necessary. The other option is Bale, which I feel isn't the best fit for the team. Fontas will be back at the start of the season, Villa will be in full form by then and Afellay has already started the process of getting back into the groove of things. I do not think there is any need to replace Puyol, as some say, because to me he is not slowing down. Puyol gives 100% every game and will go into next season strong as always.

Pep does not know what is next for him or if he will coach again, but he has given Tito the comfort that he is here for him. No one can blame him for being tired after coaching the best team in the world for four long years. It is stressful, full of pressure but also fun. Pep now needs to give back to himself. No questions he would be welcomed back to Barcelona with open arms.

The 10 Point Gap

Since Barcelona's loss to Osasuna last week, many believe their chance of catching up to Madrid is over. Even Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque thinks the opportunity for Barcelona to reclaim the title is lost. Victor Valdes believes otherwise. With 16 games left to play, there are many points at stake and players should be optimistic and not lose hope of gaining on Madrid.

"I still believe we can win the league. We are professionals and we must accept victories and defeats in equal measure," Valdes said.

Real Madrid have only lost to Levante and Barcelona this season and Cristiano looks like he's on the way to win the Pichichi trophy as well. While he accepts it, I would like him to thank the refs for giving him so many penalties.

The absence of David Villa has greatly affected the whole team. Villa will hopefully start training with the team by mid-March. Other injuries with Iniesta, Pedro, Afellay, Fontas and Xavi have also influenced team performances. Afellay is expected back in a month and Fontas at the start of next season. Xavi has talked down his leg injury, but has only played one match out of the past five.

Away from the league, Barcelona have stayed alive in the Champions League, winning 3-1 against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The champions of last year's tournament have also won all of their away matches (Barca host BL on March 7).

This weekend Barcelona face third place team Valencia at home. Real Madrid play the day before, Saturday, against 18th place team Racing Santander. We can hope that Mourinho will rest some starters before their Champions League match at CSKA Moscow next week.