Spaniard Pep Guardiola has unflinchingly poured cold water over rumors linking him with a return to Barcelona, describing his connection to the club as a thing of the past.
Barcelona presidential frontrunner and reputed favorite, Victor Font – aspiring to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu following the latter’s resignation – is desirous of bringing the Manchester City manager back to the Nou Camp should his presidential hopes come to fruition.
“It is our intention to build a very strong and competitive project and we are very lucky at Barça that we inherited a style of play that Johan Cruff instilled throughout the organisation,” Font said, as per Sky Sports News.
“And most of the best professionals who know about this style are also fans who love the club – like Pep Guardiola, Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (Carles) Puyol. They are all legends that love Barcelona but do not work for Barça today – we need to bring them back to ensure we will have a very competitive project.”
Guardiola, who left Barcelona in 2012, won 14 major trophies over a hugely successful spell in partnership with his world-renowned protege Lionel Messi at the Catalan club.
Following his side’s latest win over Sheffield United in the Premier League, Guardiola put paid to Font’s latest comments and detailed his support for the current Barcelona manager, former Southampton and Everton boss, Ronald Koeman, who happens to be a personal friend of the ex Barcelona legend.
“As manager of Barcelona my time is over,” said Guardiola in quotes carried by BBC Sport.
“I lived my period there. Ronald Koeman is there [now]. I respect him; he is an incredible friend of mine. It belongs to other people.”
Well, hopefully this affirmation of support from Guardiola puts the new Barcelona boss in a better light as the Dutchman is already under pressure in his new role. Having lost last Saturday’s Clasico to Real Madrid, Barcelona found themselves in the bottom half of the La Liga table. Koeman’s side bounced back with a win against Juventus in the Champions League in their last match despite going through what seems to be a dry spell for the Blaugrana giants in their current La Liga campaign.