Pep, why don't you come back to Barcelona?

Manchester City’s Champions League KO has given more ammunition to the anti-Guardiolistas. Those who enjoyed Bayern’s failure under him in Europe are jumping for joy at this defeat by Monaco. The attacks are widespread. In the British press, sure, but in the Spanish too. And in the Catalan.

Guardiola has as many enemies as admirers. And many of them now, and before, who are going for them are trying to pass as Barcelona fans, but in reality they are not. They don’t forgive him his Cruyffismo, nor his relationship with Laporta. They try to undervalue his success. Including what he won with Barcelona.

Guardiola has been, is, and will be the best coach in Barcelona’s history. Nobody has won two Champions Leagues, nor a sextuple. And nobody will do it in the future. But Pep’s winning era at Barcelona came to an end when the coach decided not to continue for physical and mental exhaustion. The same argument that Luis Enrique is using to announce his departure. 

Five years later, I think that Guardiola should think seriously about returning to Barcelona. Not for the criticism he has received, and will continue to, for City’s elimination, but because there is no coach in the world—apart from the late Johan Cruyff—capable of managing a dressing room, a club and the atmosphere around it, like Pep. 

Although only two days ago he said he would never come back, Pep knows Barcelona is his home. And we are waiting for him (almost everyone) with open arms. As a coach, as a sporting director. As a president. As whatever he wants… but Guardiola has to come back, sooner rather than later, to Camp Nou. We need him. And he needs Barça.