Guardiola dismisses Messi rift rumours

Outgoing Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has dismissed rumours of a dressing room rift between him and Lionel Messi.

Reports suggested the Barca star's absence at Guardiola's press conference, at which he announced his departure from the club, was a sign of a crack in the Blaugrana camp. But the manager, who will leave Camp Nou after their Copa Del Rey final against Bilbao on May 25, has played down the speculation. He told Spanish reporters: ""I get along with Leo as naturally as I have from our very first day together. "All of these players just want to win and do good work, and I have been privileged to have been their coach." Guardiola also denied any rumours linking him with a quick return to management at English club Chelsea. ""Chelsea? In the short term, I'm not thinking about being a coach."