FC Barcelona icon, Pep Guardiola, has firmly stated that he will not return to manage the club in the future.
This declaration was made during a Legends Trophy press event, with comments captured by COPE’s Victor Navarro and shared on social media.
Guardiola’s journey with Barca began at the club’s renowned La Masia academy.
He fulfilled every fan’s dream by not only playing a crucial role in Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” of the early 90s but also by managing the club during a golden era in the late 2000s.
Under his leadership, Barca achieved an unprecedented sextuple and showcased the brilliance of players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta.
After leaving Barca in 2012 due to the immense pressure of the job, Guardiola had a successful stint at Bayern Munich before taking charge of Manchester City in 2016.
He led City to a historic treble the season before last, including their first Champions League title.
Despite his deep ties to Barca and his status as a proud Catalan, Guardiola has now closed the door on a potential return to the club.
When asked if he would consider coaching Barca again, he replied, “Yes, it is closed.”
This is a notable shift from his stance in 2023, when Guardiola expressed his willingness to return to Barca if approached.
“If I am coaching here, or wherever, as a second coach, and Barcelona called me, I will go to Barcelona. It’s my club,” he had said at the time.
In the same press event, Guardiola also addressed rumors about Barca’s interest in Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.
He clarified, “Barca has never called. There has been a lot of talk for years but no one has called us. I hope he stays. He is a fundamental player for us, a gem of a player, [and] as a person [too]. If you want a player you have to call him, and it hasn’t happened.”
Silva reportedly has a £50 million release clause in his contract, but Barca might face challenges in raising the necessary funds due to their current financial situation.
