Pep Guardiola admits he’s open to shock Barcelona return despite signing two-year Man City contract extension last week

PEP GUARDIOLA has declared that he would return to Barcelona if it "was essential", despite signing a new two-year Manchester City extension last week.

The Spaniard has committed his future to City until the summer of 2025.

His plans for after that are unknown, but Guardiola has hinted that he would be open to returning as Barca manager if "I thought I was essential".

As reported by , the four-time Premier League-winning manager said: "It's a bad way to see it that I have to go back, because Pep left and Barca kept winning.

"You shouldn't think like that.

"If I thought I was essential, I would return, but that's not the case.

"There are stages, there are processes, and if one day I have to meet again, we will meet again naturally."

City are on the hunt for a fifth Prem title under the legendary boss, but trail league leaders Arsenal by five points.

However, they are yet to win the Champions League - a competition Guardiola last won as Barca manager back in 2011.

Guardiola believes his stay until 2025 is vital to City's next chapter.

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He said after signing a new deal: "I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years.

"I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me.

"I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.

“I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade.

"It happened over the last ten years, and it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.

“From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place.

“I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.”