'I am sure' - Pep Guardiola tipped to return to Barcelona by former Camp Nou star Gerard Pique

The former Spain international named Guardiola and Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta as the two worthy candidates who could manage Barcelona after Xavi leaves the club. The current Barca manager announced in January, that he would part ways with the club at the end of the current season.

Pique also claimed that he believes that Guardiola could head back to the Catalan club once his contract with Manchester City ends in 2025 as he thinks that the fans would love to see the legendary coach come back to Camp Nou.

Speaking to The Times, Pique said, "To manage Barça you need to be a specific type of coach and to understand the way Barça play, so the options are much less. The obvious ones are [Pep] Guardiola, because he had his past here, and he is the best coach right now, and [Arsenal’s Mikel] Arteta. He would be a good one also. He understands Barcelona and played for Barça in the past."

When asked if the former player really thinks Guardiola would come back to the club, He added, "You would have to ask him. I still speak to him sometimes. I am sure he and Barcelona people would love to see him back."

The Blaugrana achieved unprecedented success during the current Cityzens manager's rein at the club. Between 2008 and 2012, they won 14 trophies including three La Liga and two Champions League titles. They also won the treble in the 2009/20 season. In the 2022/23 season, the 53-year-old became the first manager to win the treble twice in a career after his Manchester City bagged the honour.

On Saturday, under Guardiola's tutelage, City made it to their seventh FA Cup semi-final out of the last eight seasons by beating Newcastle United 2-0. They will next face Arsenal in the Premier League on March 31 after the international break.