Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed his position on the possibility of returning to Barcelona in the future.
The elite football manager began his career at Barcelona, establishing himself as one of the best hands in the job despite being his first shot in a first-team role.
After leading Barcelona B to promotion to the Segunda Division, Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta announced the promotion of Pep Guardiola to first-team manager to take charge of the club’s senior side in the Spanish elite division.
Guardiola replaced former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard in 2008. It was a terrific start to life at the Catalan’s dugout for the Spaniard. After overseeing a prodigious squad overhaul which saw the arrival and departure of several players, the football tactician led Barcelona to a historic treble on his debut spell in the Catalan’s dugout.
He won the LaLiga, Copa Del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. He also added the Supercopa de Espana, the UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup to the club’s trophy room.
After four years with the LaLiga giants in which he won three LaLiga titles, two Copa Del Rey, three Supercopa de Espana, two Champions League, two UEFA Super, and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies, Guardiola left for Bayern Munich in 2013.
He won the Bundesliga titles throughout his three seasons with the Bavarians. He also won two DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup before leaving for Manchester City in 2016.
In his eight seasons with City, the 53-year-old has won six Premier League titles, including four consecutive EPL titles in the last four campaigns. He has won the Champions League and several domestic trophies for City.
Regarded as one of the best managers in Europe, Guardiola has been linked to a possible exit from City with his contract expiring after next season.
When asked about a potential return to Barcelona, it was a sharp and straightforward response from the Man City boss.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, the two-time treble winner with Manchester City and Barcelona confirmed the door to his possible return to Barcelona has been closed.
“Is the door closed for your possible return to Barcelona in the future?”.
“Yes, door closed,” he says.
Addressing his future after winning his sixth Premier League title with City, the Spaniard confirmed he is closer to leaving Manchester City than staying but will speak with the club’s hierarchy as he nears the end of his contract.