Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has once again closed the door on one of Barcelona fans’ biggest dreams: seeing him return to the club as president. Widely regarded as the architect of Barcelona’s golden era, Guardiola confirmed that he cannot imagine himself taking on the top executive role at Camp Nou.
For years, the idea of Guardiola’s return to Barcelona—whether as a coach or in a major leadership position—has been a recurring fantasy among supporters. His extraordinary success as both a player and a coach, particularly during his tenure that saw Barça dominate Europe, fueled hopes that he might one day come back in a pivotal role.
Yet the reality, based on signs over the past several years, has always pointed in the same direction: Guardiola’s return to Barcelona in an official capacity remains more of a romantic dream than a realistic possibility.
Guardiola: “Not for the President’s Seat”
In a recent interview with RAC1, Guardiola addressed speculation that he might one day run for president of Barcelona—a topic he had never openly discussed before.
He acknowledged his deep connection to the club but made his stance clear:
“President of Barcelona? I do not reject Barcelona. You are always a fan of the club where you started. But me with a tie in the president’s office? No, personally I can’t imagine doing that.”
His words effectively quashed long-standing rumors and speculation about the possibility of the Manchester City manager leading the club from the highest seat at Camp Nou.
Barcelona: A Club Like No Other
Guardiola also reflected on why holding a leadership position at Barcelona is uniquely challenging. According to him, the sheer volume of opinions, expectations, and pressure makes the environment extremely demanding.
“Barcelona is unique in this regard because everyone has an opinion. Only those inside the club should pay attention to that noise,” he explained.
“That’s why it’s the biggest and most special club in the world: everyone wants to run for president,” added Guardiola, who spent much of his life first as a player and then as a coach at Barça.
His remarks highlight the complex internal dynamics of the club he has long been part of, emphasizing that even someone as accomplished as Guardiola recognizes the weight of the role.
Reflecting on Career Highlights
In another part of the interview, Guardiola, who recently celebrated his 1,000th match as a manager, was asked to name his favorite games. He recalled key moments from each of the three major clubs he has managed:
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Barcelona: The famous 6-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu during his first league season, and his second Champions League final with the club.
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Bayern Munich: The Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid, which he described as an excellent performance despite the team being eliminated.
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Manchester City: The Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid at the Etihad, which he called the pinnacle of his team’s performance over the past decade.
These reflections show Guardiola’s enduring passion for football and his appreciation for the defining moments of his coaching career, while reinforcing that his focus remains firmly on coaching rather than club politics.
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