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Barcelona president dreams of Pep Guardiola return

ByErnesto Hernandez|
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (C) holds the Premier League trophy. (Photo by Dave Thompson / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (C) holds the Premier League trophy. (Photo by Dave Thompson / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The meeting between Joan Laporta and current Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman did not bring about a resolution one way or the other. The Dutchman is still the manager but the search for a possible replacement has begun.

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Laporta has one big name at the top of his list and that is Manchester City‘s Pep Guardiola.

Who will be Barcelona’s manager next season remains a mystery

According to Sport, he is Laporta’s chosen one and he has pretty much discarded the option of Xavi Hernandez despite members of his board favoring his potential appointment.

The thought is that Guardiola could step away if City manage to win the Champions League against Chelsea. Should they win, it would be seen as a culmination of his work with the club and that his work there is done.

Guardiola did sign a new contract with City that runs until 2023. The belief is that wouldn’t be a hindrance should he decide to step away.

At the moment, it appears to be a nearly impossible dream by Laporta. City are better off both structurally and economically.

The Catalan side are a mess and would be unable to provide Guardiola with the resources he currently has at his disposal.

Sport also report that despite the obstacles, Laporta is going to do everything he can to persuade Guardiola. It is one of the reasons why he is taking an extra two weeks before making a final decision on Koeman. He wants enough time to try to pull off a miracle.

Laporta’s plan is to recreate the success from his first tenure as president. Therefore, Guardiola is crucial to that plan. But Barcelona from 2008-09 is very different to the current iteration.

Given the near impossibility of convincing Guardiola to leave City, Roberto Martinez, Joachim Low, Marcelo Gallardo, Thierry Henry and Garcia Pimienta are a handful of names on the list to replace Koeman.

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