Pep Guardiola does not see himself returning to the bench at Barcelona in the near future, where he celebrated great successes as both a player and a coach. The Manchester City manager distances himself from the decision of Barça's club management to part ways with Xavi Hernández.
Barcelona recently presented Hansi Flick as Xavi's successor. The arrival of Flick followed a series of events: Xavi indicated halfway through the season that he did not want to continue as coach after the current season, then was persuaded by president Joan Laporta to stay, but the same Laporta later decided to reverse this decision and appointed Flick.
The handling of club icon Xavi led to considerable criticism of Barça's management, particularly Laporta. Fans and pundits alike were vocal about their dissatisfaction with how the situation was managed, seeing it as a lack of respect towards a legend of the club. However, Guardiola prefers to stay out of it. "What happened with Xavi is not my fault. I can't help that Xavi as a coach was compared to me," said the City manager to Mundo Deportivo.
Guardiola, who won his fourth consecutive Premier League title with City, does not see a return to Barça in the near future. "That door is closed. I wish the new coach all the best. I hope he gets the time and support to do his job," said the Spaniard, who has a contract with City until mid-2025.
João Cancelo
Regarding João Cancelo, Guardiola doesn't rule out a permanent move from City to Barcelona. The Spanish manager did not require the Portuguese international last season, leading to Cancelo's loan to Bayern Munich, where he had a mixed spell. "We will talk with Barcelona to find the best solution for all parties. If Cancelo wants to stay at Barça and both clubs can reach an agreement, then he will stay there," said Guardiola. Cancelo has a contract with City until mid-2027, and his future remains a topic of interest, especially with Barça looking to strengthen their squad.
Bernardo Silva
Guardiola is also displeased with the ongoing speculation surrounding Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese player is reportedly attracting interest from several top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. "There are so many rumors, but we haven't received any calls," the manager clarified. "No club has called, not even Barcelona. Bernardo is a fantastic player, and I hope he stays with us." Silva's versatility and consistent performances make him a valuable asset for Manchester City, and Guardiola's desire to keep him underscores his importance to the team's success.
In summary, Guardiola's recent statements shed light on the intricate web of decisions and negotiations that define modern football. His commitment to Manchester City, coupled with his respectful distance from Barcelona's internal decisions, underscores his focus on maintaining the high standards he has set in his managerial career. Meanwhile, the futures of players like João Cancelo and Bernardo Silva will continue to evolve as the transfer market progresses.
