Pep Guardiola asked to be Barcelona’s guest of honor

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola will be invited as Barcelona’s guest of honor at the Champions League final in Berlin.

Earlier today, Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner revealed that Guardiola, along with former bosses Terry Venables, Johan Cruyff and Frank Rijkaard, will be asked to attend the June 6 final in Berlin; since the quartet all coached La Blaugrana in at least one European Cup final.

Venables was in charge of the club during the 1986 showcase in Seville, Cruyff won Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992 (London), while Rijkaard claimed the title in Paris in 2006 and Guardiola directed his side to wins in 2009 (Rome) and 2011 (London).

“It would mean a lot to us for the four of them to be at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on June 6, on what will be a very special day for the club,” Cardoner said.

Some Bayern Munich supporters may take issue with Guardiola for attending the event as Barcelona’s guest, since the newly-crowned La Liga champions knocked the German giants out of this season’s Champions League.

However, Guardiola’s strong ties to the Catalan club can’t be ignored, and the manager has never hidden his affinity for Barcelona.

He began his career with the club at the age of thirteen and would spend 25 years at Barcelona as both a player and manager.

The 44-year-old won 16 trophies during his playing career and an additional 14 as head coach.

Guardiola continues to be a Barcelona season ticket holder, and was spotted with his family at the Camp Nou earlier this season.