Barca coach Guardiola: I felt it was time to let Eto'o go

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said his decision to let striker Samuel Eto'o go was motivated by a feeling that is was time for a change and was not made for sporting or personal reasons.

The Spanish and European champions said on Friday they had agreed in principle with Inter Milan to swap Eto'o plus cash for Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the conclusion of the deal depended on the players agreeing to personal terms.

"It's simply a matter of feeling. I think we have to change things," Guardiola told reporters on Monday, adding that it was his decision alone not to include the Cameroon international in his plans.