Guardiola said Mourinho had nothing to do with my exit from Barcelona

Pep Guardiola has stressed that his tense relationship with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho did not play a role in his decision to say farewell to Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.The successful Catalan coach has insisted that his Real Madrid counterpart played no role in his decision to leave the Camp Nou side at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola

The 41-year-old revealed on Friday that he will not extend his existing contract with the Blaugrana as he needs time away from the game to recharge his battery.

"Did Mourinho influence my decision to leave? Not at all. I had other opponents as well, but other coaches don't make you tired. Day-to-day work and winning does," Guardiola stated at a press conference.

However, the Barcelona trainer refused to rule out a return to Camp Nou in the future.

"Will I again be Barca coach in the future? I can't answer that now. I really don't know."

Mourinho recently stated that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the 2012 Fifa Ballon d'Or, but Guardiola disagrees as he feels Lionel Messi is sitting in pole position for the prestigious individual trophy.

"Mourinho says Cristiano Ronaldo should win the Ballon d'Or this year rather than Messi? There will be a day that Messi won't win it, but he's been brilliant this season."