Guardiola extends contract at Nou Camp until end of next season

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish and European champions through to the end of the 2010-11 season.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta (L) shakes hands  with coach Pep Guardiola after a news conference at  Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona January 20, 2010.  Barcelona coach Guardiola has agreed to extend his  contract with the European and Spanish champions by  one year until the end of next season.REUTERS/ Gustau Nacarino (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Wednesday's (20th January) announcement ended weeks of speculation over the 39-year-old's future, with his previous deal at the Nou Camp due to expire in June.

F.C. Barcelona will open a race to elect their next club president in the spring.

The Catalans' current president, Joan Laporta, confirmed on Wednesday that head coach Josep Guardiola will sign a new a one-year contract extension later in the year - once the boardroom battle is complete.

"The new contract for Pep Guardiola will be signed on 1st July - between the club's new president and Pep Guardiola. What we are announcing today is the compromise and the club has the warranty that Pep Guardiola will be the coach of the first team next season, and also the guarantee that Guardiola has that he will keep his job next season."

Guardiola has enjoyed unprecedented success at Barca since replacing Frank Rijkaard in May 2008.

In 2009, the Spanish giants lifted six trophies, including the domestic league crown, the European Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

"I don't want to have the feeling that I am here because of what I did but rather because of what I have to do in the future. To have this feeling, so I could transmit it to my team - this is an election year and things get more complicated. I didn't want to bring up a bad feeling that would put all of us in an uncomfortable situation."