Barca make accusation over Etihad Stadium club.
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Manchester City have been accused of trying to lure more members of the team behind Barcelona’s success to the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League champions have already appointed former Barcelona directors Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to positions at the club, taking up roles as chief executive and director of football respectively.
The appointments were thought to be part of a grander plan by Manchester City to bring in former Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola as manager in the summer to replace current boss Roberto Mancini.
And Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, speaking in an interview with RAC1 and quoted by newspaper Marca, has accused City of attempting to poach more figures of the Nou Camp as well as playing staff.
Rosell said: “There have been some offensive approaches from City, at all levels of the structure of the club, but no one wants to go. They wanted to fish here, but there were no fish left.”
Guardiola’s future has been the subject of huge interest since he revealed he is ready to return from his sabbatical from the dugout and training ground, but it is Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich who look likely to appoint him as manager.