Guardiola hopes for City stay amid Barcelona rumors

Pep Guardiola intends to extend his stay at Manchester City as speculation about a potential return to Barcelona mounts.

Guardiola's current City terms expire at the end of the season, and the Catalan tactician recently reaffirmed his commitment, telling the club's official website: "I am incredibly happy here.

"I am delighted to be in Manchester and hopefully I can do a good job this season to stay longer."

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font told Sky Sports that a potential Guardiola return to the Camp Nou could help Lionel Messi stay put and return the club to its place among football's elite.

Guardiola won 14 trophies over a four-year stretch in charge of Barcelona prior to departing for a three-year spell at Bayern Munich. The former midfielder is in his fourth term with City and has twice captured the league, along with a quartet of domestic cup successes.

The 49-year-old has been linked with Barcelona amid a backroom overhaul that included outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu's resignation in anticipation of a November vote of no confidence. Font is the front-runner to succeed current interim chief Carles Tusquets, with a new president and board set to be elected within the next three months.