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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

Gary Neville explains why Pep Guardiola should not return to Barcelona as manager

Pep Guardiola has been warned that he would struggle to replicate the success of his first Barcelona spell were he to return.

The Catalan spent four years in the dugout at the Nou Camp and delivered 14 trophies.

He remains the club's most successful manager and has been linked with a return after Joan Laporta, the man who hired him in 2008, signalled his intent to run for presidency again.

But Gary Neville doesn't think it would be possible for Guardiola to recreate the levels he achieved when he was first in charge.

He also pointed to how the 49-year-old has navigated Europe's top leagues and suggests a move to Italy could be his next move, rather than a return to Spain.

Pep Guardiola twice won the Champions League at Barcelona (Getty Images)

He said on Sky Sports: "From Pep’s point of view he seems to be working round the leagues and dominating each league, like in Spain, Germany and England and you wonder whether Italy would be the next one for him to complete his what would be his quarter of the major leagues in Europe.

"He’s had an unbelievable influence on football generally in the last 10 years. I think Italy would be a more likely venue for him than going back to Barcelona. He’s got nothing to prove there.

"I always think that if you go back to Barcelona and you’re Pep Guardiola, there’s no way you can achieve what you achieved last time. He produced the greatest team we’ve ever seen.

Joan Laporta appointed Pep Guardiola as Barcelona manager (AFP/Getty Images)

"And that wouldn’t be possible again I wouldn’t think. Obviously Messi coming towards the end of his career in the next couple of years."

Barcelona have continued to dominate La Liga following Guardiola's exit in 2012.

But the club have been criticised for their style of play, recruitment policy and the lack of opportunities being given to academy products.

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