Chelsea target Pep Guardiola wants to return to coaching next season

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he plans to return to management next season, with Chelsea keen on hiring the former Barcelona head coach.

The Spaniard, who guided the Catalan outfit to 14 trophies during his time in charge at Camp Nou, stepped down as Barça boss at the end of last season to take a year-long break from football.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovch is a keen admirer of the former Spain midfielder and is likely to move to lure the 41-year-old to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

But Guardiola, who has also been touted as a possible replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, refused to discuss the names of any clubs when quizzed over his future on Monday.

“Yes, I would like to come back to coaching,” Guardiola told a news conference in Zurich ahead of the 2012 Ballon d’Or gala.

“I don’t have a team, I don’t know, but I would like to go back to coaching.”

He added: “My decision has been taken to coach, but beyond that there is no decision taken.”

Guardiola also revealed that he continues to follow his former club’s progress.

“I keep watching Barcelona on TV and it’s great to watch the team,” he continued.

“I was a lucky man to spend a few years with this fantastic team and it’s a source of pride to know they continue to play just as well or even better than when I was there.

“It was a gift to have that team and it’s more of a gift to know it’s still going on. It didn’t start with me, it started a long time ago and I was just one part of that.”

Guardiola has been nominated for the World Coach of the Year award along with Vicente Del Bosque and Jose Mourinho after guiding Barcelona to the Copa del Rey last season.