MX23RW : Monday, May 13 23:28:14| >> :120:6182:6182:

Barcelona 'keen to bring Pep Guardiola back to club'

Barcelona 'keen to bring Pep Guardiola back to club'
© Reuters
Barcelona president Joan Laporta allegedly wants to bring Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola back to Camp Nou this summer as Xavi's replacement.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly ready to 'pull out all of the stops' in a bid to bring Pep Guardiola back to Camp Nou at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Catalan outfit will appoint a new manager this summer, with Xavi revealing last weekend that he will be stepping down as head coach once the current season has finished.

Xavi's position at the helm has been called into question in recent weeks due to the team's struggles, and the legendary former midfielder said that "this club needs a change of dynamic" when revealing his reasons for deciding to move on at the end of the campaign.

The 44-year-old said on Tuesday that his work "is not valued enough" but did claim that he would potentially be open to discussing a return at some stage in the future.

Barcelona B head coach Rafael Marquez has expressed an interest in replacing Xavi, while Bologna manager Thiago Motta has also allegedly been identified as a target.

Barcelona head coach Xavi on January 21, 2024© Reuters

There have also been suggestions that Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool this summer, is on the club's shortlist alongside Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arteta has denied rumours that he is leaving the Gunners this summer, though, with the Spaniard branding claims that he has decided to seek pastures new "totally untrue".

According to El Chiringuito TV, Laporta is determined to bring Guardiola back to Camp Nou, but he faces a battle to convince the Spaniard to leave Manchester City.

The 53-year-old represented Barcelona as a player between 1984 and 2001, including an 11-year stint in the first team, before returning to the club in a coaching capacity in 2007.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts on January 26, 2024© Reuters

Guardiola was first in charge of Barcelona B before taking on the first-team managerial role in 2008, and a hugely successful spell saw him deliver three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and two Champions League trophies.

The Spaniard left Barcelona in June 2012 before returning to management with Bayern Munich one year later, and he had another successful three-year spell before moving to Man City.

Guardiola has delivered five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League during his time in charge of the Citizens.

The ex-midfielder has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until the end of next season, though, and he is expected to spend at least one more campaign with the reigning English champions.

ID:535429:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4912:

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on January 28, 2024
Read Next:
Barcelona 'consider Arteta, Klopp, Nagelsmann as Xavi replacements'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!