Guardiola Wishes Laporta Luck On His Return As Barcelona President
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta to bring back the glory days to the Camp Nou.
Laporta was elected for a second spell as president of the Catalan giants on Sunday after garnering more than 54 percent of the total votes cast, seeing off challenges from Victor Font and Toni Freixa to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, with the club in turmoil.
Laporta previously served as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 in what proved to be one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Barcelona won four La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies during Laporta’s first helm at the club. He brought the likes of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o to the Catalan giants and also appointed Guardiola as manager to kickstart a period of sustained dominance in both Spanish and European football.
Laporta had hopes of bringing back Guardiola as manager if elected president but the former Bayern Munich manager signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium last year.
Nonetheless, Guardiola has wished Laporta luck and is hopeful the 58-year-old will succeed on his return to the five-time European champions.
"All I can say is that it was a lovely journey," said Guardiola when he was asked about Barca's election.
"All three options were there, they did a good job and I congratulate the president to be elected by a big margin.
"I'm pretty sure his personality will introduce a good mood, a lot of optimism in the club and all the country.
"I wish him all the best for the season and the next seasons."
