Barcelona chief responds when asked about hiring Pep Guardiola

Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-08 12:00:00

Barcelona chief Deco has been questioned about the possibility of former manager Pep Guardiola making a return to the Camp Nou.

Following Xavi’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season, Barcelona is in search of a new manager.

Xavi has been leading the team since 2021 and secured a title triumph last season, but his departure was announced after their recent 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal.

Barcelona has been linked to several potential managers, and Deco, the sporting director, addressed the rumors around Guardiola’s return.

Speaking to Esport3, Deco emphasized that the club is not in talks with any manager at the moment. He also stressed that they would not make a disrespectful approach to Guardiola as he is currently under contract with another club, Manchester City.

“We are not speaking to any manager, really. Zero talks,” the former Barcelona and Chelsea playmaker said.

“Pep Guardiola is under contract with another club, I’d never speak about him – it’d be disrespectful for Man City.”

Despite this, the prospect of a potential return for Guardiola to Barcelona raises questions about whether he would be tempted by the opportunity.

Guardiola has strong ties to Barcelona, where he began his career and achieved significant success. However, Barcelona’s well-documented financial troubles, including the release of Lionel Messi due to financial constraints, present significant challenges for the club. In contrast, Manchester City is a well-run club with a strong support system for Guardiola.

Guardiola is contracted with Manchester City until 2025, making his immediate departure unlikely. Despite the challenges at Barcelona, the prospect of restoring the club to its former greatness may still be an appealing and difficult challenge for Guardiola.

These developments have sparked interest and speculation among fans and pundits, as the search for a new Barcelona manager continues.

The overall situation underscores the complexities and uncertainties involved in the world of football management and the factors that influence a manager’s decisions and prospects for the future.

Read Original article on Manchester City News