Pep Guardiola Leaving Barca in 2012?

Barcelona coach Josep “Pep” Guardiola has indicated that he could leave the club when his current contract expires at the end of the 2012 season.

The former Spain international midfielder took over the coaching responsibilities at Camp Nou in the summer of 2008 and has won eight major trophies with the Catalonia club since then, including the Champions League.

Guardiola’s future at Barcelona has been under speculation since last summer when Sandro Rosell replaced Joan Laporta as the club’s president. Even though the 40-year-old signed a one-year contract extension in February of this year, reports continue to link him to moves abroad especially to England where he is perceived by some observers as the heir to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Guardiola has now further fueled speculation by telling Rai Sport that he believes his cycle at Barcelona may be reaching its final run.

“I think my time is ending here in Barcelona,” he said. “I’m fine here, but when you’re at a club like this you cannot stay for too long.

“Next year will be my fourth consecutive season as coach of Barcelona. Such a club must have a lot of courage to have a coach for so long, because the players get tired of coaches and vice-versa.”

Guardiola won the treble in his first season in charge, and as things stand at the moment, there is a very big chance he may achieve the feat for a second time.