Guardiola may be open to seduction as he bows out with King’s Cup

Departing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hinted he could be seduced into making an earlier than expected return from his sabbatical.

Guardiola ended his trophy-laden four-year spell at Barca on a winning note as his side beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to win the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) in Madrid last night.

The 41-year-old announced his intention to take a break from the game following the Catalan club’s Champions League semi-final defeat by Chelsea last month.

But several clubs have since voiced an interest in acquiring his services, including newly-crowned European champions Chelsea. And Guardiola has hinted he could be lured back by the right club.

“I will be pleased to receive their calls of course,” he told a press conference. “But for the next months I have to charge my batteries and charge my mind. I will wait. I am going to rest and wait. I will be ready once a club wants me, if they seduce me, I will train again.”

Guardiola won 14 trophies since taking over at the Nou Camp, including three league titles, two Champions Leagues and two King’s Cups. Two goals from Pedro and one from Lionel Messi – all before the break – gave them an emphatic 3-0 at Vicente Calderon. Pedro, who has endured a mediocre season, thumped home the first after three minutes and Messi made it 2-0 with his 73rd Barca goal of the season soon afterwards before Pedro curled home a third.