Pep Guardiola’s agent says Manchester City boss will remain at the Etihad

‘He will stay, 100%’: Pep Guardiola’s agent says Manchester City boss will remain at the Etihad despite old club Barcelona looking for new manager

Josep Maria Orobitg says Pep Guardiola ‘will stay at (Manchester) City 100 per cent’ this summer, ruling out a return to Barcelona after they sacked Quique Setien. 

Guardiola could one day make a move back to the Nou Camp, where he enjoyed four successful years as manager between 2008 and 2012, but agent Orobitg has revealed this is ‘currently impossible’.

Barca are searching for a new head coach after they dismissed Setien on Monday following the humiliating 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich. 

Pep Guardiola will ‘100 per cent’ remain at Manchester City despite Barcelona vacancy

The 61-year-old lasted just seven months in the dugout after the 2019-20 season ended in disaster, with Blaugrana missing out on the La Liga title and Eurupean silverware. 

Guardiola was left deeply disappointed when his City side suffered an unexpected 3-1 defeat by Lyon, but the Catalan coach’s representative claims he will not leave the club.

Orobitg told Goal: ‘Yes, Pep will stay at City 100 per cent,’ and insisted it is ‘currently impossible’ for a return to Barcelona to be considered by his client.

Quique Setien was dismissed by Barcelona after the 8-2 hammering by Bayern Munich

Quique Setien was dismissed by Barcelona after the 8-2 hammering by Bayern Munich

Guardiola is under contract with City until 2021 and club CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain lan to offer him fresh terms in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, the Cuty board have already sanctioned the transfer of Ferran Torres and paid £41million in the hope that Nathan Ake will resolve their defensive woes.

In the meantime, Holland boss Ronald Koeman is among the favourites to take over at the Nou Camp, rivalling former Tottenham manager Maueicio Pochettino.

Holland coach Ronald Koeman is among the early favourites to take over at the Nou Camp

Holland coach Ronald Koeman is among the early favourites to take over at the Nou Camp

Koeman claimed to have been offered the job before Setien was appointed manager in January but decided to honour his KNVB. 

The 57-year-old was hospitalised with chest pains in May, and any persisting health issues coult deter the Barca board from approaching the former Everton man. 

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has two weeks to make an appointment before the players return for pre-season training. 

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