Pep Guardiola set to leave Barcelona

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Barcelona when his contract expires at the end of the season, according to reports from Spain.The 41-year-old saw his dream of becoming the first coach to retain the Champions League evaporate on Tuesday when his side were beaten by Chelsea.And with the La Liga title effectively handed to Real Madrid after last weekend's El Clasico defeat, Guardiola is set to call time on his four-year, trophy-laden reign at around 12pm local time on Friday.He held a three-hour meeting with Barcelona president Sandro Rosell on Thursday, at which he made it clear he planned to step down, according to several reports in Spain.
Although the Spaniard is also said to have stated his intention to take a break from the game, that is unlikely to stop Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich pulling out all the stops to tempt him to Stamford BridgeGuardiola stepped up from Barca B manager to first-team boss in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club's illustrious history.He has led the azulgrana to two Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.He will have the chance to add another next month when his side take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final in Madrid.