“It’d be disrespectful” – Barcelona chief reveals whether Pep Guardiola has held talks over emotional return

Barcelona sporting director Deco has revealed whether the club have held talks with Pep Guardiola over a potentially emotional return to the club.

The La Liga giants are bracing themselves for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign without their current manager Xavi, who revealed last month that he would be leaving the iconic Catalan club at the end of the ongoing season.

Speaking at the time of his announcement, Xavi explained, “I’ve been a man of the club. I’ve prioritised it above even myself. I’ve given everything I have. And I will continue to do so to make the fans feel proud.”

As such, speculation has been rife in recent days regarding who the Catalan club will turn to for their top job, with some going as far as to claim that Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola could entertain a return to his former home.

However, such suggestions appear to have been shutdown by a significant member of the Barcelona set-up as part of a wide-ranging interview discussing the future of their operation.

Discussing with Esport3 this week, as translated and relayed by Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona’s sporting director has confirmed that no talks have taken place with any manager over the soon-to-be vacant position at the La Liga giants, never mind Pep Guardiola.

Deco explained, “We are not speaking to any manager, really. Zero talks.”

He continued, “Pep Guardiola is under contract with another club, I’d never speak about him – it’d be disrespectful for Man City.”

Pep Guardiola’s current contract at Manchester City runs until the end of next season, and despite being quizzed on future on several occasions, the 53-year-old has insisted that there is no rush over a decision regarding whether he will extend his deal any further.

“We have time,” Guardiola insisted during the closing stages of January. “Now I feel really good, like always I have. But in football, situations change a lot. When you have one year and a half left on your contract, it’s a lot of time in world football. We have time.”

Guardiola’s most recent extension saw terms thrashed out over the course of an international break, with the club’s head coach holding personal talks with the likes of Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Sheikh Mansour in Abu Dhabi.