Madrid: Barcelona are in the unusual position of having drawn their last three matches as they prepare for today's home La Liga game against Real Sociedad and Pep Guardiola's unwillingness to commit to a new contract is not helping settle jangled nerves.
The spectacularly successful 41-year-old coach prefers to renew his deal with the Spanish and European champions on an annual basis and as the season has slipped by mutterings about the possibility of him leaving in June have grown in volume. Barca president Sandro Rosell is desperate to persuade Guardiola, who has led the Catalan club to 13 trophies since taking over in 2008, to agree an extension, although he has so far refrained from putting too much public pressure on the former Barca and Spain midfielder. Guardiola waited until February 8 last year before inking a new deal and went on to capture a third successive La Liga title and a second Champions League crown.
