Pep Guardiola’s parents, his father Valentí and his mother Dolors, spoke this Monday on Catalunya Radio’s ‘El Matí’ program following their son’s last match as manager at the Camp Nou.

They began by thanking everyone for the support that their son received during his four years as head coach of Barça. “The tribute this Saturday was very beautiful and very gratifying,” said Guardiola’s father, who admitted that his son “deserved it” and that it “demonstrates that [Guardiola] has fit in well with the general public, whether or not socis.”  “This has filled us with satisfaction,” stated Valentí Guardiola.

On his reasons for stepping down, Pep’s father was clear: “We saw that he was very exhausted with the work he was doing, he lives it so much that it was wearing him out. In the 24 hours [of a day] he was thinking only about football, the socis and the supporters, especially. A person who causes so much joy and emotions has a very big responsibility,” commented Valentí.

When asked about the possibility of his son returning to Barça, in the future, as president of the club, Valentí Guardiola responded: “Oh, no! President, no!”  He clarified his statement by saying, “I don’t think that [Pep] will return as president [of the Club], although I don’t know what’s inside [his mind]. I don’t know what he will do, but whatever it is, it will be carried out like these last few years at Barça.”

Valentí also spoke about his grandchildren, whom could be seen on the pitch of the Camp Nou after the game on Saturday: “Maria [Guardiola's eldest] was touched, as she seems to feel it the most, to see what was happening with her father.”

Pep’s mother, Dolors Sala, said that she and her husband only learned of their son’s decision to leave the blaugrana bench “just hours before” it was announced to the press. “When he told me he was going my heart sank, I saw that he needed a space for tranquility and rest. When he said he was leaving part of me was hurt because Barça is Barça but health comes first,” she added.

Dolors also commented on the attention that has been paid to her son’s final sentence: “I will never be far away.” “It was taken very well,” she said. “The tribute was very nice, not like fireworks, [but] very emotional and came from deep inside.”

Guardiola's family poses on the Camp Nou pitch

Sources: Sport, Mundo Deportivo, ara.cat; Images: Sport and Miguel Ruiz (FCB)