Current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola put to rest rumors he would soon return to Barcelona, the team at which he enjoyed his greatest success. Rumors began circulating amid growing pressure on current manager Luis Enrique.
Enrique’s job at Camp Nou is under severe pressure after the 4-0 defeat against French side Paris Saint-Germain , on Tuesday, in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Enrique has managed to win two La Liga trophies since being appointed manager in 2014. Regardless, Barcelona bosses do not seem eager to offer an extension on his contract due to run out at the end of the season.
Rumors were also amplified by the varied results Guardiola has enjoyed at City on his first season as manager. City currently sit second of the Premier League, with eight points behind leaders Chelsea. Guardiola was quick to answer claims that he would be returning to his former club:
“I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach there. My period there is gone,” Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola was speaking ahead of City’s fifth-round FA Cup game against Huddersfield Town. The manager also had this to say about the current format of the competition:
“In Spain, we play two games. I prefer that situation,” he said. “Maybe for the amount of games played, extra-time and penalties would be good. But OK, I’m not here to decide the rules of how we play the competition, I’m here to play the competition in the way that the chairmen and the important people decide. I prefer the quality over the quantity. Not only here in England, all around the world. It’s a big mistake, so many games.”
These comments arrive in light of an injury crisis that Man City has been plagued with for the better part of the season. Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town sees City once again not be able to use captain Vincent Kompany, out due to injury. The Manchester side are no doubt looking to advance to the next stage and try to secure the FA Cup trophy.
