Pep Guardiola has not ruled out a future return to manage Barcelona, saying 'nothing is comparable' to his hometown club.
However, while the Manchester City boss admitted there are obvious differences between living in Barcelona and Manchester, he added he feels at home within the Etihad and City Football Academy, where he has everything he needs to be successful.
Guardiola last week signed a two-year contract extension until 2025, ending speculation over his future with his previous deal expiring at the end of the season. With City and the Premier League taking a break for the World Cup, Guardiola has spent time in Abu Dhabi and now back in Barcelona to see his family.
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And Guardiola was awarded the Best Manager trophy at the Catalan Football Federation's annual gala this week, where he was asked about former club Barcelona and whether he would ever return as manager at the Nou Camp.
Admitting he could return if the conditions were right, Guardiola said: "It's a bad way to see it that I have to go back, because Pep left and Barca kept winning. You shouldn't think like that.
"If I thought I was essential, I would return, but that's not the case. There are stages, there are processes, and if one day I have to meet again, we will meet again naturally."
Regarding his new contract at City, Guardiola reiterated his stance that he has everything he needs to be successful at the Etihad - despite admitting his natural affection for Barcelona.
"I feel very good there [at City], very comfortable, they give me everything and I have very good friends close by," Guardiola said.
"To continue you have to have very good players and when you have continuity in a club it's because those above give you a lot of support.
"The city is not Barcelona, I'm not at home. Nothing is comparable to Barca, because here everything is on the surface, if I am here it is because Barca gave me everything and I will never be grateful enough. At City I feel at home."
The comments come as Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff addressed the possibility of Guardiola's future return to the Nou Camp.
He told RAC1 : “He represents an era as a coach. He has reached the level of being able to choose his own destiny. There are very few who get to this point. This is every professional’s dream.
“Whether he returns to Barcelona or not? I have no idea. I think he is very happy at City.”
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