Pep Guardiola has turned down the possibility of taking up a non-coaching position at Barcelona, despite holding talks with club president Joan Laporta, according to reports.
Guardiola is currently taking a sabbatical after spending 10 years in charge of Manchester City. The Spanish manager is not planning an immediate return to coaching, but he is also not expected to remain away from football indefinitely.
El Nacional reported that Guardiola and Laporta discussed a potential role for him at Barcelona. One option was for the former Barcelona manager to lead the club’s academy, while another would have involved working alongside Deco and Bojan Krkic in the sporting department.
Guardiola rejected the proposal, however, with his focus understood to be on returning to management in the foreseeable future.
According to Gazeta.Ru, Guardiola would prefer his next coaching position to be with a national team rather than another club. The report does not identify a particular country he would like to manage.
The 54-year-old left Manchester City after 10 years at the club and is currently taking time away from the touchline. His next move remains undecided, although his preference for international football has emerged despite the possibility of a return to Barcelona in another capacity.
There have also previously been rumours that Trabzonspor attempted to appoint Guardiola as their manager.