Laporta Plots Guardiola Return If Elected Barcelona President
Joan Laporta says he will launch an audacious bid to bring back Pep Guardiola to Barcelona if re-elected as the club’s president next summer.
Laporta, who presided over the Blaugrana from 2003 to 2010, was responsible for hiring Guardiola in the summer of 2008, an appointment which kick started a period of unprecedented success for the Camp Nou outfit.
The 49-year-old won three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa del Reys, among numerous honours in his time as Barcelona manager.
Guardiola departed Barcelona at the end of the 2011/2012 season and has since continued an impressive coaching career with Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles in as many years, and Manchester City in England.
Guardiola’s contract at Manchester City expires next summer and he is yet to agree a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Laporta is aiming to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu as Barcelona president, with elections scheduled for next summer.
"I'm working to introduce myself as a presidential candidate,” Laporta told Catalan station 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."
