BARCELONA — Outgoing Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has given Liverpool and Chelsea hope by confirming he is open to approaches this summer.
Guardiola will step down as Barcelona chief at the end of the season, and it was expected he would stay out of the game for at least a season in order to rest.
However, the Spanish boss, a reported target for the Anfield and Stamford Bridge clubs, has revealed he would be willing to return to football sooner than had been anticipated.
“For the next month I have to charge my batteries,” he said. “I will rest and I will wait. I will be ready. If one club wants me, if they seduce me, I will train again.”
Guardiola won three successive La Liga titles at Camp Nou, lifting the Champions League trophy in 2009 and 2011, as well as subsequently winning the Fifa Club World Cup on two occasions.
He revealed last month that he was to leave Barcelona, citing the stress-inducing pressures of the top job at one of the world’s leading clubs. Assistant Tito Vilanova will take over from him next season.
Champions League winners Chelsea are expected to have a better chance than Liverpool of enticing Guardiola, with owner Roman Abramovich reportedly an admirer.
The Reds, who are in talks with Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, are likely to be keeping a keen eye on the situation, however.
