Guardiola "can't deny" his affection for presidential candidate Laporta

Pep Guardiola thinks that "the socios will choose well" and predicted that this summer's election campaign to become the new Barcelona president will be a good one. 

Guardiola was in Manresa at the 50th anniversary of Ampans, where he was received with affection by the public, before saying a few words. 

The Bayern Munich manager hopes for a high quality campaign and said he has no doubts that the best candidate will prevail. 

"I hope that it will be a good, well-run campaign," he said on Tuesday. "I'm sure the Barça socios will choose [the new president] well.

"In the elections I only represent one vote and unfortunately I will not be able to cast it because I will be in China."

Despite not wanting to offer an opinion on any of the candidates, Guardiola did not hide his feelings for Joan Laporta. 

"All the candidates can bring things [to the club], but I cannot deny my affection for Laporta," the former Barça coach admitted. 

"I was nobody and he took a bet on me [as Barcelona manager]." 

Laporta had joked that he would be angry with Pep if he did not show his support, so he can now be calm following these comments. 

"He's not angry with me," Guardiola added. "He knows me too well to be angry." 

Abidal and Laudrup

Guardiola also referred to the first names used in the election capaign: Eric Abidal and Michael Laudrup. The former will be Laporta's sporting director; the latter will be Jordi Majo's. 

"I love Abidal a lot. I had the luck to be able to train him and to get to know him. Michael Laudrup is also a good guy," he concluded.