Joan Laporta applies for a second period as president of FC Barcelona in 2021. He would prefer to have the coach of that time at his side.
Pep Guardiola could return to FC Barcelona to replace Quique Setién. At least if Joan Laporta has his way.
Pep return? Barca candidate wants Guardiola
“What I would like best would be Guardiola’s return”, announced Laporta on the occasion of the announcement of his candidacy for the presidential elections of the Catalan club next year on the regional television channel TV3.
Guardiola’s contract with Manchester City ends in 2021. It would be the perfect inaugural gift for Laporta, who was already Barca president from 2003 to 2010.
Already at the beginning of his first term of office Laporta raptured the “Culés”, the fans of the 26 times Spanish champion. In the summer of 2003 he presented Ronaldinho as his first present.
Guardiola debut thanks to Laporta
In 2008, it was Laporta who took up the cause of ex-player and former reserve coach Guardiola instead of signing starting coach José Mourinho.
Barca subsequently won 14 titles in four seasons, including the triple in Guardiola’s debut season. “He is a benchmark for Barcelona, and many Catalans would like him to coach Barca again,” he praised the current city coach in the highest terms.
That Guardiola could leave the Skyblues after another season, his fifth in England, is quite realistic. The former head coach of FC Bayern Munich usually only signs for three or four seasons. Manchester City are also currently suspended for the next two Champions League seasons.
Xavi as Barca coach?
Time and again there has been speculation about the 49-year-old’s involvement as Qatar’s national coach. In the country of the 2022 World Cup host, former Barca legend Xavi, who is also being considered a future man at Camp Nou, coaches the Al-Sadd Sport Club.
“Xavi is already a coach, he lives football and he has to decide what his moment is,” Laporta said of the former midfielder.