Cruyff: Pep may quit after final

Posted Saturday, May 28, 2011 by The Sun

JOHAN CRUYFF has dropped a bombshell on Barcelona's final build-up by claiming boss Pep Guardiola may be ready to quit.

Barca legend Cruyff ruled out Guardiola switching clubs but he confessed: "I would not be surprised if Pep left regardless of the result in the final against Manchester United."

But Cruyff - a former Nou Camp coach and player, and Guardiola's mentor - says the Barca boss would only quit to get a break from the game.

The Dutchman added: "He would go only because it's very difficult to withstand pressures in the long-term.

"I think he would stay out of work for a year."

Guardiola, 40, beat United in the Champions League final in his first season in charge in 2009 and has landed three La Liga championships in a row.

And yesterday the Barca boss refused to rule out quitting after tonight's final.

He said: "This is not the day to talk about that.

"We have worked an enormous amount of time to get here and it is a privilege to be here, so let's not talk about anything else. Leaving? Let's leave that for another time.

"The important thing is the club, no matter who the coach might be."