Man City manager Pep Guardiola rejects idea of Barcelona return - ESPN

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has closed the door on a return to Barcelona at any time in the future.

Guardiola, whose contract with City expires in June 2025, hinted in May that next season could be his last at the Etihad.

When asked on Monday if a return to Barça could be on the cards, Guardiola, who guided the Catalan outfit to 14 honours during his four seasons in charge, said: «It's a door that is closed.»

The 53-year-old spoke during a news conference at his annual golf tournament, the Legends Trophy, that is being played in Girona, Spain.

«The Barça bench is one of the most complicated because you have to manage many cases. In Manchester everything we do remains inside and at Barça, everything comes out,» he said.

The former Barça player coached City to a record fourth-successive Premier League title one year after leading his team to a historic treble.

Barça finished the 2023-24 campaign trophy-less and appointed Hansi Flick as Xavi Hernández's replacement in May. Xavi was dismissed at the end of the season with the club looking for a change in direction.

Xavi took over the Spanish team in November 2021 and was often compared to Guardiola.

Guardiola said of those comparisons: «What is certain is that it's not my fault. That's for sure. I've been 11 or 12 years away from Barcelona. I'm not a suspect in that sense. Ask that to those that have made the comparisons, I haven't. I wish Xavi the best in finding a new challenge.»

As for Xavi's successor, Guardiola said he believes Barça are in good hands. Flick, who had been out of work since September 2023 when he was fired by the Germany national team, had previously overseen considerable success at Bayern Munich.

The German manager won the Champions League as