Rivaldo has claimed his former Barcelona team-mate, Pep Guardiola, could return to the club as manager this summer.

Guardiola was in charge of Barca from 2008 to 2012, before taking a year off the game.

The Spaniard then joined Bayern Munich, before moving to England to coach Manchester City.

Rivaldo says that success could lead to Guardiola eventually looking to take his family back home.

“Manchester City have changed for the better since Pep Guardiola’s arrival and winning two consecutive titles in such a competitive league means he is now a key part of the club’s history.

“It was difficult this season with Liverpool taking it to the wire, so the City players and staff must be congratulated for their achievements as nothing came easy for them.

“When I played with Pep, he used to say in the dressing room that he would become a manager in the future, but I never thought he could become this good and have such success at every club he worked at.

“Pep always showed ambition to become manager and I can only be happy about how things are working out for him, as he is one of the best managers in the world without a doubt.

“Furthermore, he has a special way of interacting with his players, showing the great human being that he is, and all the players seem to have a good impression of him.

“Of course, when you perform well it’s normal that other top clubs become interested in your services.

“I believe Pep will have other opportunities and new projects to think about this summer and, despite his apparent satisfaction at the Etihad, perhaps a good proposal from a Spanish club could interest him.

“I’m saying this because Pep doesn’t like to be away from his family and friends and really enjoys the time spent with them, so a possible return to Spain would be helpful,” Rivaldo told BetFair.