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'Not even as ball boy'

Barcelona vs Man City: Pep Guardiola will NEVER go back to manage at the Nou Camp, claims father Valenti

Hero boss returns to Nou Camp with new side on Wednesday - but dad insists his time at Catalan club has run its course

Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola gives a press conference in Barcelona on April 27, 2012. Pep Guardiola is leaving the club, ending a four-year reign over one of the greatest eras in club football, the club president announced Today. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell made the announcement at a packed news conference in the Camp Nou alongside the 41-year-old coach. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENELLUIS GENE/AFP/GettyImages

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PEP GUARDIOLA will never go back to Barcelona, according to his father.

The Catalan boss returns to his former club tomorrow night when his Manchester City side travel to the Nou Camp for their Champions League Group C clash.

 Pep Guardiola will face his old club after failing to win for three games
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Pep Guardiola will face his old club after failing to win for three gamesCredit: EPA

Guardiola, 45, won three La Liga titles and two European Cups in four trophy-laden seasons as Barca boss between 2008 and 2012.


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But dad Valenti believes his son’s time at the club has run its course – and insists Pep will not be tempted to make an emotional homecoming.

He said: “Would Pep return to Barcelona? To do what, work as a ball boy?

“I don't see him going back there.

 Guardiola is thrown in the air by Barcelona players after their 2011 Champions League triumph over Manchester United at Wembley
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Guardiola is thrown in the air by Barcelona players after their 2011 Champions League triumph over Manchester United at WembleyCredit: Getty Images
 Pep Guardiola won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues at Barca
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Pep Guardiola won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues at BarcaCredit: Getty Images

“His time at the club has come and gone and I think we can certainly rule out him going back as coach at the very least.”

“I would think that perhaps he could take over the Catalan national team.

Guardiola quit Barcelona in 2012 to take a sabbatical after losing the title to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

He then moved to Bayern Munich the following year – where his side stormed to three successive Bundesliga titles.

 Guardiola made a solid start to life at City but has not won in three games
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Guardiola made a solid start to life at City but has not won in three gamesCredit: Getty Images

And Valenti thinks Guardiola would only return to Spain to manage the Catalonia side, if the region ever gained independence.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, he added: “But I can't see him taking over Spain.

“I don't have anything against anyone and everyone is free to think what they want but that's my opinion.

“In the end, I don't know what he will do - and who am I to say what he should do anyway?!”

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