Guardiola to stay as Barcelona boss as Henry jets off to USA
Published:Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has agreed a contract extension at the Nou Camp, though his squad will be one player lighter following Thierry Henry’s departure.
Guardiola has won seven trophies with Barcelona in his two seasons in charge, and the 39-year-old is hoping to add more silverware to the Nou Camp trophy cabinet. Barcelona are 3/1 favourites to win the Champions League this season.
Having enjoyed only limited opportunities in the Barcelona first team during the last campaign, Henry has opted to sign for New York Red Bulls.
Henry has joined the MLS side on a “multi-year contract” after Barcelona had agreed to let the France striker leave a year before his deal at the Nou Camp expired.
Although Henry’s pedigree is undoubted, he will be more than ably replaced by Barcelona’s €30m summer signing, David Villa.
Villa is poised to form a devastating frontline with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi, and this strike force should power Barcelona to another La Liga, which they are 4/5 to win.
Henry’s exit will also alleviate the financial difficulties currently facing the Catalan giants. Barcelona failed to pay their players’ wages for June, and their finances have been scrutinised as they plot big money move for Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.
Who will be Barcelona’s main challengers in Europe? Chelsea are 6/1 to win the Champions League. See the full Champions League market.
