Manchester City have been left shocked by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s comments about current manager Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona coach has been given an open door welcome to return to Camp Nou to coach the Blaugrana. The Barcelona president’s statement comes during a mini-crisis being experienced by the Spanish side in which Barcelona has dropped seven of nine points possible.
Manchester City unhappy over Barcelona president’s statement
Bartomeu stated Guardiola can return to Barcelona whenever he wants during a recent interview. The statement puts further questions around current Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde’s job. The coach has been under pressure due to poor performances this season.
It has been long claimed that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi wants Guardiola to return to the club. Messi enjoyed the best part of his career under Guardiola, and without the Spanish manager, may not have grown into the player he is today.
Guardiola has recently stated he would like to finish his coaching career overseeing Barcelona’s youth teams. Although the Manchester City manager hasn’t spoken about a timeline for returning to Barcelona, Bartomeu praised Guardiola as a ‘genius’ in a recent interview.
“He’s a genius and he has the doors of his house open whenever he wants,” Bartomeu said in an interview with The Times.
“The other day I read that he would like to take over La Masia in the future, it seems perfect to me.
“That’s what we offered him when he told us he wanted to leave because he was tired because of the pressure.
“His return would be great news.”
Guardiola signed a contract extension with Manchester City in May 2018. However, the Barcelona president’s desires to keep the door open for Guardiola could see the manager leave before his time is up.
Despite signing an extension, Guardiola made it known that he could leave the club before the deal expires if results don’t go Manchester City’s way.
Manchester City will resume Champions League play on Tuesday night against Hoffenheim. They will face off with fellow Premier League high flyers Liverpool at the weekend.
Will Guardiola stay at Manchester City or will he return to manager Barcelona in the near future?