Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has not ruled out a return to Barcelona, but said there are many younger coaches who would be happy to take on the big challenge of working at such a big football club.
Guardiola said in an interview with Spanish RAC1 that the Catalan club has given him everything, as a player and coach, and that he therefore does not want to rule out the possibility of returning.
"I'm not rejecting Barca," Guardiola said.
Guardiola came through Barcelona's academy as a player, played for Johan Cruyff's team and won six Spanish titles and the Champions League, among other things. He began his coaching career in 2007 with Barcelona's B team, taking over the first team a year later and winning 14 trophies in four seasons, including two Champions Leagues and two titles.
"Life is made up of phases and there are certainly young coaches right now who have the same excitement that I had at that club," Guardiola added.
Next year, Barcelona will hold presidential elections, and current president Joan Laporta's opponent will be Victor Font.
Font criticized Laporta's administration and accused the club of hiding $80 million in financial losses, but also criticized the way the Camp Nou stadium was renovated, the Gol website reported.
Guardiola said that Laporta having a rival represents a strong democratic system at Barcelona.
"That's why Barcelona is the biggest club in the world. Barça is a living club, everyone has something to say. Everyone wants to be its president, to play for it and to lead it," Guardiola said.
Since leaving Barcelona, Guardiola has managed Bayern Munich and Manchester City, where he is now manager. He has managed 1.000 games, winning 716 of them, and has won numerous trophies.
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