Laporta wants Guardiola back at Barcelona if elected club president

A return to the Camp Nou could be on the horizon for manager Pep Guardiola if Joan Laporta is elected Barcelona president next summer.

Guardiola, who began his coaching career at Barcelona, is under contract at Manchester City, but Laporta hinted that, if elected, he could make a move for the 49-year-old when his deal in England expires in the summer of 2021.

"I'm working to introduce myself as a presidential candidate. I've been president before and I'm excited to be back," Laporta said, as translated by Reuters.

"I would very much like Guardiola to come back, but now he is at City and it is a decision that Pep should take," he added. "He is a benchmark for Barcelona and many Catalans would like him to coach Barca again.

"At the right time, I will speak to the person we think should be a Barca coach from 2021."

It was during Laporta's initial reign as club president from 2003 to 2010 that Guardiola was promoted to Barcelona manager before going on to win multiple trophies and establishing himself as one of the top coaches in the world.

From 2008 to 2012, Guardiola helped shape Barcelona into one of the most dominant teams in the world. Barcelona won virtually every major trophy - including Champions League titles - before Guardiola moved on to join Bayern Munich.