Barcelona legend tells club to forget about Guardiola and hire Mourinho as manager

Speaking to BetFair (h/t FourFourTwo), former Barcelona footballer and club icon Rivaldo has sensationally told the Catalans to forget about the return of Pep Guardiola and instead appoint Jose Mourinho as their manager.

Barcelona will be searching for a new manager this summer with Xavi Hernandez set to move on at the end of the season.

There have been murmurs about some people within the club wanting to bring Guardiola back even though such a possibility is out of the question at this moment.

Rivaldo dismissed the idea of Guardiola returning to Barcelona at this point while not ruling out a comeback in the future, as he said:

“I do not see Guardiola joining Barcelona anytime soon. I think the only realistic chance would be when he wants to move back home and enjoy more family life, which is easier for him in Barcelona, and can coach the team at the same time.

“So today it depends a lot more on him, but I think it’s very difficult for next season. He’s doing well in England, and I think this return would also depend on the financial state of the club, and if they can bring players in for Guardiola.

However, Rivaldo has claimed that Barça should make Mourinho their next manager, despite the bitter rivalry he had with the club during his time at Real Madrid.

Rivaldo wants Barcelona to appoint Jose Mourinho. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for FIFA)

The former Brazilian superstar argues that Mourinho is currently available, knows the club and La Liga, and has a lot of experience.

“There are many fans who do not accept players or coaches who played for or managed their rival team. But Jose Mourinho has already been at Barcelona, with Sir Bobby Robson, and he is a great person,” he said.

“Of course, his intensity as a coach, and sometimes being controversial with his own fans could be a concern from the beginning, but he is a winner.

“Considering that he is without a club and the situation at Barcelona, in my opinion, it is easier for him to join the team than Guardiola right now, and I think it would be a great signing for Barcelona, even though some fans don’t like the name.

“Without a doubt, he would do a great job, he knows the team, the Spanish league, the Champions League and has a lot of experience.”

Mourinho has been without a job since being sacked by AS Roma earlier this season. However, the idea of him taking over at Barcelona is simply not realistic.

Furthermore, the Catalans seem to have settled in on former defender Rafa Marquez as the candidate to replace Xavi.