Guardiola: Camp Nou will always be special for me

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola admits he will always feel something special about FC Barcelona.

Although the father of the former Barcelona player and coach commented on Wednesday that Guardiola will not coach the Catalan club again, in his press conference on the eve of the Champions League clash between his former and present clubs in the Camp Nou, the coach admitted the stadium will always have a place in his heart.

"This ground is part of my life. I grew up as a footballer here and it is always special," said Guardiola, who added Wednesday's game would be "a good test," for his side.

"I was very happy here and I am certain Barcelona has a great future because there is a great generation of players who compete and who are very talented. I ended that chapter and now I am in another in Manchester," he continued.

The Catalan said he couldn't tell if the current Barcelona side differed from the one he led to 14 titles in 4 years.

"I'm not up to date with the work of Luis Enrique (Barca coach), the majority of the players are still here. I would like to get a good result, but I am always happy if things go well for Barcelona," said Guardiola, who denied having tried to sign Leo Messi or any of his former players for his current club.

"I didn' t call any players," he insisted, adding that he hoped Messi would end his career at the Camp Nou.

Finally Guardiola said Wednesday would be a good test for his new side, which has four points from two Champions League games to date.

"We need points and we are obliged to win after losing two points against Celtic, we have been together for just two months and that is very little time, but I have confidence in my players," he concluded. Endit