Why Pep quit

ADIOS ... Pep Guardiola walks away from Barca

PEP GUARDIOLA has quit Barcelona because of his differences with the president and tensions with star players.

As Guardiola revealed on Friday: “I told the president at the end of September or beginning of October this would be my last season.”

Rosell’s war with Laporta — the man who appointed Guardiola — left little room to manoeuvre. Guardiola’s loyalty to Laporta is unflinching but that was not the only reason for his exit.

Guardiola worked 24-7 and didn’t spend enough time with his family.

Though that was fundamental, the atmosphere behind the scenes at the Nou Camp made things worse and there is evidence Guardiola’s professional relationship with senior players is not idyllic. It is the result of normal wear and tear in relationships as demanding Guardiola desperately fought to avoid complacency and sustain the team’s success.

Friendships remain so Guardiola did not want to oversee a summer clear-out.

Some of his trusted lieutenants might be shipped out to freshen as much as shake things up.

Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard in 2008 and straight away flogged Ronaldinho and Deco. They were not ‘his’ players.

This time Guardiola did not want to be selling players with whom he’s won everything.

Gerard Pique, Guardiola’s first signing, was dropped from El Clasico nine days ago.

Cesc Fabregas was benched against Milan at the San Siro AND against Bilbao AND El Clasico.

Publicly, all is hunky dory but Pique’s performances are under scrutiny and questions about focus and extra-curricular activities have emerged.

Ex-Arsenal skipper Cesc squandered two golden chances at Stamford Bridge and was poor in the return against Chelsea — though he won the penalty which Lionel Messi missed.

Then there’s Dani Alves, the world’s best right-back, who came off the bench against Chelsea.

The Brazilian’s performances have dipped and a move to Anzhi Makhachkala is openly talked about.

Fabregas will stay, no doubt. Will Pique and Alves? Pep did not want to have to make those decisions.

Finally, there are suggestions Rosell wants to buy Brazil sensation Neymar and Guardiola does not.

Signing Neymar would be a massive coup over rivals Real Madrid.

But Guardiola built his team around Messi and did not want a clash of egos upsetting the delicate dressing-room balance at the Nou Camp.