Pep Guardiola's former mentor is adamant the ex-Barcelona coach will move to Italy. Carlo Mazzone coached Guardiola when he was playing for Brescia and became good friends with the Spaniard.

"He has friends here and was happy in Italy. If he does return, then clearly it will be to coach a team of great technical potential with important objectives," Mazzone told MilanNews.it.

The former Barcelona manager worked in Serie A with Roma and Brescia, where he began a long and enduring friendship with then-Coach Mazzone.

"Let's make it clear, we talk about anything except football. At most I told him to keep going and always keep his feet on the ground. We are bonded by a close friendship, but I do not get involved in his decisions.

"I would be very happy if Pep returned to Italy. Where could he go? Milan or Inter, there isn't exactly a vast choice. He has had his time in Spain and I think he could come here, though I don't know whether it'll be in a day, a year or five years.

"A problem Guardiola might have with Milan would be the requests for players. In any case, from what I've read he will stay out of football for a year and let us not forget he has other commitments in his life, like being a father with a young family.

"Pep is a great professional and very focused, sometimes too much. Here's an anecdote: I remember at Brescia I noticed he never said anything, so I told him loudly to shut up. Of course he replied that he didn't say anything and I pointed out I was making fun.

"He said that was just the way he was. He didn't make observations, didn't complain. He would learn, accept and that was it."