Pep Guardiola has vowed he will never return to Barcelona. The Manchester City manager confirmed on Friday that moving back to Catalonia is not an option as speculation intensified over Luis Enrique’s future.

Enrique is in a precarious position at the Nou Camp after Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.

Guardiola, however, is busy putting down roots, with his assistant, Domenec Torrent, having bought a £1.8million city centre house. 

Torrent’s property is being renovated and he cannot move in until 2018, with Guardiola’s support team eyeing a longer stay at City than their initial three years.

Talking amid reports that Lionel Messi wants him back at the Nou Camp, Guardiola shut the door on a future switch.

‘My period there is gone,’ he said. ‘No, I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach.’

Messi, 29, is yet to discuss new terms with Barca and City believe they would head the queue should the Argentine decide to leave. 

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner’s deal runs out at the end of next season but Guardiola added: ‘I said many times about Messi, my desire is that he will finish his career at Barcelona.’

City’s boss has reservations about the state of Huddersfield’s pitch after a rugby league match was played just 43 hours before Saturday’s FA Cup tie.

‘It’s not perfect. I think it will be worse but I understand,’ Guardiola said. ‘Huddersfield are at home. It’s their stadium and they can do whatever they want.’

Guardiola admitted he did not know if Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to travel home to Brazil to aid his recovery, would play again this season after the 19-year-old had a successful operation on his fractured metatarsal in Barcelona on Thursday night.

Guardiola is wary of the number of games City have in the Premier League and two cup competitions.

I prefer the quality over the quantity. Not only here in England, all around the world. It’s a big mistake — the games and games.

‘You have to allow people to go to the theatres, the cinemas, the good restaurants and not play every game in front of the TV. We’re going to kill the players.’

Guardiola is wary of the number of games City have in the Premier League and two cup competitions.

‘I prefer the quality over the quantity. Not only here in England, all around the world. It’s a big mistake — the games and games.

‘You have to allow people to go to the theatres, the cinemas, the good restaurants and not play every game in front of the TV. We’re going to kill the players.’