BARCELONA coach Pep Guardiola confirmed star winger Lionel Messi is very much part of his plans, but revealed he will not build his team around the young Argentina forward.
Guardiola was officially unveiled as the club's coach for the next two years on Tuesday and backed Messi to star in his revamped side next season.
"He is a player we are very interested in keeping," he said.
"I am very much counting on him, but we shouldn't put all the weight of a club on the shoulders of one player.
"We will help him and try to stop him getting injured."
Guardiola also warned the youngster that he will have to defend more than under previous coach Frank Rijkaard.
"He must feel part of the group and feel that when other teams score against us, it is partly his fault," he said.
Nevertheless, the former Barcelona captain revealed he will impose an attacking philosophy as coach of the team he has supported since he was a boy.
"We have to go and look for the win, I am an absolute fan of attacking football," he said.
"When I see the ball closer to the opponents' goal, I am more relaxed.
"I have read that we are only signing defenders, but we will attack better if we have a better defence and defend better if we have a good attack."
The 37 year-old, who led Barcelona's youth team to promotion on Monday, says he is now eager to get started with the first-team.
"I am not here to ask for time or a honeymoon period of 100 days," he said.
"I am really satisfied to be here and I know this is a great responsibility.
"I can't wait to get started, there is no time to waste."
Despite his lack of coaching experience and the enormous pressure of coaching Barcelona, Guardiola believes he is up to the task.
He said: "I feel I won't fail (sporting director) Txiki (Begiristain) or president (Joan) Laporta because I am prepared.
"I understand the doubts about me and my experience.
"I know I am here because of my time as player at the club, but I feel that in a couple of months, the doubts will decrease because I am convinced that I can do a good job."
However, the former Spain midfielder refused to promise immediate success.
"I can't and won't promise titles from the first day because I think that would be a mistake," he said.
"He is a player we are very interested in keeping," he said.
"I am very much counting on him, but we shouldn't put all the weight of a club on the shoulders of one player.
"We will help him and try to stop him getting injured."
Guardiola also warned the youngster that he will have to defend more than under previous coach Frank Rijkaard.
"He must feel part of the group and feel that when other teams score against us, it is partly his fault," he said.
Nevertheless, the former Barcelona captain revealed he will impose an attacking philosophy as coach of the team he has supported since he was a boy.
"We have to go and look for the win, I am an absolute fan of attacking football," he said.
"When I see the ball closer to the opponents' goal, I am more relaxed.
"I have read that we are only signing defenders, but we will attack better if we have a better defence and defend better if we have a good attack."
The 37 year-old, who led Barcelona's youth team to promotion on Monday, says he is now eager to get started with the first-team.
"I am not here to ask for time or a honeymoon period of 100 days," he said.
"I am really satisfied to be here and I know this is a great responsibility.
"I can't wait to get started, there is no time to waste."
Despite his lack of coaching experience and the enormous pressure of coaching Barcelona, Guardiola believes he is up to the task.
He said: "I feel I won't fail (sporting director) Txiki (Begiristain) or president (Joan) Laporta because I am prepared.
"I understand the doubts about me and my experience.
"I know I am here because of my time as player at the club, but I feel that in a couple of months, the doubts will decrease because I am convinced that I can do a good job."
However, the former Spain midfielder refused to promise immediate success.
"I can't and won't promise titles from the first day because I think that would be a mistake," he said.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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