Iniesta hopes Pep stays on

Barcelona insist there is no deadline for coach to make a decision

By Francisco Acedo.   Last Updated: February 20, 2012 6:12pm

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Pep Guardiola: Has been urged to stay as Barcelona coach by Andres Iniesta

Sky Bet

Andres Iniesta is hoping Pep Guardiola will sign a new contract at Barcelona after the midfielder confirmed the players all want the coach to stay at Camp Nou.

Guardiola's present deal expires at the end of the season and the former Spain international recently admitted he has yet to decide on whether to sign an extension.

He has won 13 trophies at Barca since taking charge in 2008, but speculation has linked Guardiola with Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester United.

However, despite Barca trailing arch-rivals Real Madrid by 10 points in the title race, Iniesta is confident there is still plenty for Guardiola to achieve at the helm.

Eager

"I hope that he renews and that he stays with us for a long time," Iniesta told the club's official website.

"He has to decide and he knows that the team wants him to stay. That's everyone's wish.

"Guardiola is eager. We have a lot of beautiful things still yet to see."

Meanwhile, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta insists there is no problem with Guardiola taking his time to reach a decision and that the club will not set the coach a deadline.

Zubizarreta said: "We understand everything. If Pep takes time to give us an answer, he will.

"He has the confidence of the club. He asked for time and that is not a problem.

"We have no deadline, and nor would we set one as he has our confidence."