Pep Guardiola has denied having any contact with Chelsea after confirming he is to leave as Barcelona coach at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old met with club president Sandro Rosell this week but, despite being urged to reconsider, will step down when his contract ends next month, before being replaced by his assistant Tito Vilanova.
Guardiola insisted he now planned to take a break from the game, but speculation persisted that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich might try to tempt him to reconsider.
Spanish sports daily AS reported a meeting between Guardiola and Abramovich had taken place in Paris in February, but Guardiola said: "No. That would have been disrespectful towards the club."
He led Barcelona to 13 club titles in four years but told a press conference he needed time to rediscover his "passion" for the game.
"Four years is an eternity as Barca coach," Guardiola told a packed press room. "Four years are long and they wear you down.
"The demands are high; the pressure, the necessary energy to push the players. I am drained and I need to take a step back and replenish."
Guardiola stepped up from Barca B manager to first-team boss in 2008, winning two Champions League crowns and three straight La Liga trophies with a brand of football dubbed the best in the world.
Rosell declared his gratitude and said: "Thank you Pep for all the happiness you have brought us and for bringing a model of football that can never be questioned."
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