Pep Guardiola opens door to Barcelona return as Man City boss claims he'd head back to Camp Nou 'for free' - but there's a catch

The Spanish manager was one of the most successful head coaches in Barca's history, as he guided Lionel Messi and Co. to two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups - including a treble in the 2008-09 season. Any prospect of his return to Camp Nou is bound to excite the Barcelona faithful and with Xavi determined to vacate his post at the end of the campaign, some may even hope he could be back this year.

Nonetheless, Guardiola made it clear that if he ever returns to Barcelona, he wants to be the ultimate supremo of the club and not as a manager. And his first signing would be Aitana Bonmati as the club's sporting director - the Spanish World Cup winner who bagged the ‘Laureus Award’ for being the Sportswoman of the Year for 2023.

In the documentary ‘Aitana Bonmati Conca’ on TV-3’s ‘Sense Ficcio’ show, Guardiola said: "I would come for free, do not suffer. It would not be an economic question. But here there will be a problem that I must tell you: I will be the president and I will be the one who will sign you as sporting director.”

Bonmati responded by saying: "I like to command and it is poor to advance that there are still few women in positions of command. Maybe when you stop coaching at the age of 80..."

Guardiola immediately cut her short and replied: "Don’t worry, I have no intention of coaching until I’m 80. We’ll see who signs who…”

After Real Madrid crushed Manchester City's treble hopes in the Champions League, Guardiola is determined to guide his troops to a domestic double by lifting the FA Cup and Premier League again. They trail leaders Arsenal by four points in the league but have two matches in hand. The Cityzens will also face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on May 25 at Wembley. Their next fixture is against Brighton on Thursday away from home in the Premier League.