Gerard Pique "never had a problem" with Pep Guardiola

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has dismissed suggestions that he has ever had a problem with Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola, who will leave the club at the end of the season, was reported to have had a falling out with the Spain international in March. However, Pique has dismissed those reports as false.

"I have never had a problem with Guardiola," he told TV3. "We have said things face to face when we had to.

"If Guardiola is leaving it is because there is something that made him realise that it was time to go.

"Inside the dressing room we were not surprised that Tito Vilanova will be the new coach."

Pique has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona following his return from Manchester United in 2008.