Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed he intends to run in the club’s presidential elections next year – and he wants Pep Guardiola to go back with him as head coach.

Guardiola has been very successful as manager of Bayern Munich and, presently Manchester City. But Juventus were reportedly keen in their bid to employ the Spaniard before opting for Maurizio Sarri.

Laporta was Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 and he told Catalan station TV3 on Monday it was his ‘dream’ to return to the role, while he also spoke of his desire to be reunited with the current Manchester City manager.

He said: “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 is a benchmark for Barcelona and many Catalans would like him to train Barça again.

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

Guardiola was appointed Barcelona head coach by Laporta in 2008, and he went on to collect two Champions League and three La Liga titles across four years.