Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has told Aitana Bonmati that he wishes to return to the team one day as president and will sign the women’s team’s midfielder as the sporting director.
On Monday, Bonmati was honoured with the ‘Laureus Award’ for being the best athlete of 2023.
This accolade is the latest in a series of recognitions for her extraordinary achievements throughout the year.
She played a pivotal role in securing a treble victory with FC Barcelona, including excelling in the Champions League and winning the first two major titles in the history of the Spanish national team.
At the ‘Catalan Football Star Gala,’ Bonmati expressed her ambition to become the sports director of FC Barcelona—not just for the women’s team, but for the entire club—once she retires from playing.
Guardiola – A Barcelona president?
In a conversation with Guardiola, featured in the documentary ‘Aitana Bonmati Conca’ on TV-3’s ‘Sense Ficcio’ program, she reiterated her aspirations, to which Guardiola said,
“I would come for free, do not suffer. It would not be an economic question,” he was quoted by SPORT.
“But here there will be a problem that I must tell you: I will be the president and I will be the one who will sign you as sporting director.”
Aitana expressed her desire to lead Barcelona by saying, “I like to command and it is poor to advance that there are still few women in positions of command.
“Maybe when you stop coaching at the age of 80,” she told Guardiola.
The Man City manager cuts her off and said, “Don’t worry, I have no intention of coaching until I’m 80. We’ll see who signs who…”
