Deco shoots down Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho Barcelona return rumours

Sporting director Deco has played down suggestions that Barcelona could target the managerial appointment of Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho.

Last month, Xavi made the surprise announcement that he plans to end his stint at boss at the end of the current season.

That has led to daily speculation with regards to who the Catalan giants could appoint as his replacement, a wide array of names having been linked with a switch to Camp Nou.

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick and departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are all said to be under consideration.

Nevertheless, talk remains over potential Barcelona returns for the likes of Guardiola and Mourinho, the former having been a player and manager in the past and Mourinho having started his coaching career in Catalonia.

While Guardiola has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Manchester City since 2016, the Spaniard currently has a contract until 2025, inevitability leading to speculation regarding his future.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is out of work after recently being sacked by Roma, albeit with his reputation maintained on the back of two appearances in European finals, the first seeing the Italian giants win the Europa Conference League.

Nevertheless, speaking in an interview with Esport3, Deco has indicated that the Barcelona hierarchy will not look for a reunion with either man.

On Guardiola, he said: «Pep is a great coach. There is no discussion about this. He was the coach of the best Barca in history. No doubt. And he has continued to win away. He is the best in the world now.

»We are not talking to any coach. It is normal that the press is asking questions but talking about a technician with a contract is a lack of respect for others and for us.