Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hinted at a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Camp Nou. The 57-year-old, who is preparing to run in Los Blaugrana's next presidential elections, insists that he ready to lead the talks to bring back the current Manchester City manager in 2021.
Laporta was the president of FC Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, and it was during his tenure that Guardiola was infamously hired to lead a new project ahead of Jose Mourinho. After the arrival of the Spanish manager in 2008, Barcelona will go on to win three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League as part of a haul of 14 major trophies.
Following Guardiola's departure in 2012, Barcelona has managed to become European champions on only one occasion. The success in 2015 under Luis Enrique has been followed by three successive quarter-final eliminations and a semi-final exit. Relatively, Pep Guardiola is yet to have his hands on the Champions League trophy once more despite his successive stints with Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
In an interview with TV3, the man who gave the former Barca midfielder to launch his senior managerial career, has renewed optimism in a prospective reunion.
"I'm working to introduce myself as a presidential candidate," Laporta told TV3.
"I've been president before, and I'm excited to be back. The situation in 2021 will be dramatic and we'll have to reverse it. I'm working with people I trust.
"I would very much like Guardiola to come back, but now he is at City, and it is a decision that Pep should take. He is a benchmark for Barcelona, and many Catalans would like him to train Barca again.
"At the right time, I will speak to the person we think should be a Barca coach from 2021."
Pep Guardiola's current Manchester City deal is set to expire in the summer of 2021. Despite confirming that he is "open" to extending his stay at the club beyond the end of next season, the Spaniard has been linked with a move to Serie A side Juventus.
