Barcelona president Joan Laporta has not brushed off speculation he is ‘dreaming’ of bringing Pep Guardiola back to the club, while he is hopeful Lionel Messi will sign a new contract.
Reports emerged in Spain that Barca had major doubts over Ronald Koeman and Laporta intended to speak to Guardiola on Sunday, the day after Man City’s Champions League final clash with Chelsea, to convince him to return to Camp Nou.
The Barcelona chief held a press conference on Monday and did not rule out his hopes of taking Guardiola back, though he expects Koeman to continue despite holding talks with other managers.
Asked to confirm if it is his dream to bring Guardiola back to Barca, Laporta said: ‘I am not here to talk about dreams, I am here to talk about realities.
‘When we talk about Guardiola, the only thing in my head is that I hope he can win the Champions League this weekend. ‘That would be marvellous for him, and for those of us who love him. I have good friends there [at City], I hope they win.’
On the future of Koeman, who held discussions with the club this week and was reportedly told he was not Barcelona’s preferred man for the role, Laporta continued: ‘Ronald has a contract, another year left, there is no need to rush things.
‘We need to talk to him, calmly. He is a coach we did not appoint, so we need these conversations to be sure we all share the same ideas about the new Barca team. His behaviour has been impeccable.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola fires warning to Thomas Tuchel ahead of Champions League final
Man City v Chelsea: Joe Cole & Hargreaves makes Champions League final predictions
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich identifies summer transfer target
‘Yes, I told Koeman that he is not my top choice to be coach and asked him to give me time to look for alternatives – but if I don’t find one, then he can continue.’
Meanwhile, on Lionel Messi’s contract situation. He explained: ‘We can make an offer within our possibilities. Leo deserves much more, and could earn more elsewhere, but I’m convinced he values the effort we’re making and would like to stay.
‘Leo is not about money, but a team which can win everything. I’m moderately optimistic [that he will stay].
‘What Leo asks first is to be loved, to feel wanted, comfortable, to smile again and enjoy himself. During this process he is making a big effort and knows we are making a big effort too.
‘Leo wants Barca to think big, to have a competitive team, proven experience, proven success, another motivation, other demands. And with me as president, he has that. If he sees people just settling, he doesn’t accept it, and our changes are to fix that.’
