Deco reveals Barcelona stance on approaching Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Barcelona sporting director Deco has revealed that the club has no plans to consider re-hiring Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as manager.
The La Liga giants will be in the process of looking to appoint a new manager in the summer when Xavi leaves at the end of the season. The 44-year-old announced last month that he would be stepping down from his role as head coach at the Camp Nou, a position he has held since 2021.
The announcement has led to speculation on who could be the next manager at Barca. Guardiola has not been directly linked with the future vacancy but does have a connection with the Catalan side.
Guardiola spent four years as Barcelona manager from 2008-12 having also spent more than a decade at the Camp Nou as a player. The 53-year-old has been at the Etihad Stadium since 2016 and has won 16 major trophies during his time as City manager – his current contract runs until 2025 but he has hinted at signing an extension.
READ MORE: ‘Please make noise around us’: Ruben Dias takes on Man City haters and aims for Treble follow-up
READ MORE: Man City can use Everton to change their Liverpool FC mindset
Deco and Guardiola never shared the pitch at Barcelona during their playing careers. The Barca chief left Spain to sign for Chelsea in 2008, the same summer that Guardiola was appointed as manager.
Despite there being no specific rumours linking Guardiola with a return to the Camp Nou, Deco has spoken about the possibility. Deco explained why he is full of admiration for the City boss, and hinted that he has no plans to bring Guardiola back for a second spell in charge at Barcelona.
“Pep is a great coach,” Deco told Esport3, via Mundo Deportivo. “There is no discussion about this. He was the coach of the best Barça in history. No doubt.
“And he has continued to win away. He is the best in the world now.
“We are not talking to any coach. It is normal that the press is asking questions but talking about a technician with a contract is a lack of respect for others and for us. The time will come.”
Deco also weighed in on the rumours that former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho could be in the frame for the vacancy. Mourinho is out of work after leaving Roma last month and has also been linked with a return to Old Trafford, as well as the Camp Nou, in recent weeks.
‘He is a great friend of mine but I haven’t talked with him in a long time,” said Deco about Mourinho’s chances of being the next Barcelona manager. “We’re looking for a manager who can adapt to the club’s situation and that can keep developing the young players we have.”
