Pep Guardiola will stand down as Barcelona head coach at the end of the season and will be replaced by his assistant Tito Vilanova. Barcelona have also been swift to appoint his successor, naming Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova as the new manager. Club president Sandro Rosell told journalists: "We have called you today to announce that Pep Guardiola will not continue in charge of the team next season. "Thank you Pep for all the happiness you have brought us and for bringing a model of football that can never be questioned." He went on to describe the departing coach as "the best manager in the history of the club." The Spaniard informed Rosell he would not be renewing his contract yesterday in what was a three-hour meeting. The 41-year-old spoke with his players at their training ground this morning. Speculation about Guardiola's future has been rumbling all season, with the former Barca player noncommittal over his plans to renew his rolling contract. That speculation reached a crescendo these past few days following defeats to Chelsea and Real Madrid. On Tuesday they were knocked out of the Champions League by the Londoners, losing 3-2 on aggregate and with it relinquishing their crown as European champions. They also gave away their La Liga title to bitter rivals Real, losing 2-1 at the Nou Camp on Saturday. Bookmark: http://www.youtube.com/goal Subscribe to Goal - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=goal Facebook Goal UK: http://www.facebook.com/GoalUK Goal International: http://www.facebook.com/goal Twitter Goal UK - https://twitter.com/GoalUK Goal International - https://twitter.com/goal_intl