JOAN LAPORTA has announced his intention to return as Barcelona president and bring Pep Guardiola back to the club.
The 57-year-old was at the helm at the Nou Camp for seven hugely successful years between 2003 and 2010.
Laporte appointed former boss Pep Guardiola back in 2008
Laporta appointed the Spaniard back in 2008 before he went on to win three league titles and two Champions League trophies.
Next year will see new presidential elections at Barca and Laporta, who lost out to Josep Maria Bartomeu in 2015, is already preparing to overhaul the team.
Speaking to TV3, he said: “”I’m working towards standing [again].
“I have been president and I am very excited about the possibility of being president again.
“The situation at Barca in 2021 will be dramatic and we will have to revert it. I am working with people I trust, businessmen and other people of prestige.
“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 Barça again.
“At the right time, I will speak to the person we think should be a Barça coach from 2021.”
Guardiola’s contract at Man City expires next summer and has been tipped to take another sabbatical before landing his next role.
In December he spoke of his intention to return to Barcelona one day although ruled out ever becoming president of the club.
The 48-year-old said: “I will return to Barcelona sooner or later. But as president, forget about it.
“To be president, you have to know [what you’re doing] and be prepared – to have knowledge that I don’t have.
“I’m trying to be a good coach – that hasn’t gone too badly in this decade. I will return to Barcelona to live, sooner or later.”
Club legend Xavi has been tipped to become Barca’s new coach once he ends his time managing Qatari side Al-Sadd.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to his boyhood club as manager and Laporta has not ruled out the opportunity.
Laporte added: “Xavi is already a coach, he lives football and it is he who must decide what his moment is.
“In 2021 there will still be players who were Xavi’s teammates, and he must think if he is prepared to lead former teammates, which is not an easy thing.”
Guardiola lifted the Champions League twice at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
