Guardiola's ongoing deal was to expire at the end of this season and though pen hasn't been put to paper yet on the new deal, the details are finalized and the signing remains a formality.
Guardiola's ongoing deal was to expire at the end of this season and though pen hasn't been put to paper yet on the new deal, the details are finalized and the signing remains a formality. Reuters

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has committed his future at the Spanish club until the end of next season, the club said in a statement.

Guardiola's ongoing deal was to expire at the end of this season and though pen hasn't been put to paper yet on the new deal, the details are finalized and the signing remains a formality.

Barça are currently seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after 22 games. Guardiola's appointment in 2008 signaled a revolution in the Catalan club after he won a remarkable treble of the Spanish Primera Division, Copa del Rey and the Champions League in his first season in charge. They finished that season with six trophies.

They retained the domestic title last season and are favorites to retain it for a third-year this season. Real Madrid appointed José Mourinho as manager in the summer of 2010 with the hope of bettering Barcelona. However, Guardiola's Barca side, led by the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa and Puyol, thumped their bitter rivals 5-0 at the Camp Nou in November.

Guardiola's side are in the running for another treble as they are favorites to retain the La Liga this season and will meet Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey. In the Champions League, they sailed smoothly past the group stages and will take on English Premier League side Arsenal in the knock-out stages later this month.

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