Guardiola quits Barcelona

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola announced on Friday he is leaving the club at the end of the season, ending a four-year reign over one of the greatest eras in club football.

"Four years is an eternity as Barca coach," the 41-year-old Guardiola, dressed in a grey V-necked sweater and white collared shirt, told a news conference packed with journalists and players.

"That's four years, with time everything runs out of steam. I am drained and I need to take a step back and replenish."

Guardiola stood and embraced club president Sandro Rosell after making his statement from the podium.