Barcelona are reportedly interested in appointing Pep Guardiola as their manager in the future to replace Xavi Hernandez.
According to Fichajes, Barcelona are dreaming of a reunion with Pep Guardiola in the future. The Catalan giants want the Manchester City man to replace Xavi Hernandez at some point, when the current incumbent departs in the future.
Pep Guardiola set the benchmark for all modern-day managers when he first took on a senior-level job in 2008/09. Barcelona decided to promote the current Manchester City man to the post of head coach and reaped its rewards.
With his unique style of play and bringing the best out of some big-name stars at the club, Guardiola won the treble in his first season. He spent another three trophy-laden years at Spotify Camp Nou before leaving the club once his contract expired.
During his time there, he won the UEFA Champions League twice and three La Liga titles, among other trophies. Since leaving Barcelona, Guardiola has kept evolving as a manager, had successful stints with Bayern Munich, and remains firmly at the helm in Manchester City.
Since his departure from Barcelona, only Luis Enrique was an equally good appointment. Due to many executive-level decisions and bad spending, the Catalan outfit have plunged into chaos and a financial mess. But things have looked bright under Xavi Hernandez, appointed 18 months ago.
Barcelona reportedly wanted Guardiola to replace Ronald Koeman but could only sign Xavi. The former midfielder, who rose under Guardiola, has done a decent job. But Barcelona’s recent exit from the UEFA Champions League group stages caused many to doubt the current manager, and there were links to a few replacements.
One of those was Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. But there is no chance Barcelona can take him away from the Emirates. Now, there are new links with Guardiola, despite the 52-year-old penning a new deal recently. Manchester City are unlikely to entertain talks concerning their manager.
Much will depend on Guardiola’s own decision on the matter. Manchester City will reluctantly allow him a departure if the 52-year-old feels the time is right to move on. A situation like that seems unlikely, given how much the manager is invested in his project at the Etihad.
Barcelona may have their chance to appoint Guardiola at the helm a few years later. For now, he remains firmly in the Manchester City hot seat, which is unlikely to change. Meanwhile, Xavi continues to make promising progress at Spotify Camp Nou.
