Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of returning to Barcelona as coach at any point in the future.
Luis Enrique’s position at the club beyond this season is in some doubt following the 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night, as well as an indifferent league campaign.
It has also been reported that Lionel Messi, who Goal understands is yet to hold talks about a new contract, wants Guardiola back in charge at Camp Nou as Luis Enrique’s replacement.
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But the Manchester City boss says there is no chance of him going back to his former side.
"No, I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach there,” he said. “My period there is gone."
City have long believed they would be at the front of the queue should Messi become available, and were confident around this time last year that Guardiola’s arrival at the club would help persuade the Argentine to make the move.
GettyBut Guardiola, as he has done on several occasions this season, dashed any hopes of Messi joining him in Manchester.
"I said many times about Messi, my desire is that he will finish his career at Barcelona."
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City, meanwhile, will head to Abu Dhabi next weekend for a short warm-weather break ahead of their return to Premier League action.
Guardiola's men have 12 days between their Champions League clash with Monaco on Tuesday and the trip to Sunderland on March 5, and the Blues boss says they will get the opportunity to see the club's decision makers.
"We are going there to find some sun because there has been a lot of time in Manchester without seeing the sun," he said. "And to see our chairman!"