Puyol 'eyed up for Nou Camp return as club want him as general manager'

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol is in talks over a return to the Nou Camp as general manager five years after retiring as a player, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The retired defender won 21 titles over a 15-year career with the club and took up a non-playing role after retirement in 2014, but then left in January 2015.

After hanging up his boots, Puyol was immediately named assistant to sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta in 2014, but left in January 2015 following Barcelona's transfer ban.

Puyol resigned the day after Zubizarreta had been sacked, with Barcelona handed sanctions by FIFA over signing young players.

Puyol's return would make him the latest of a number of former players to return to the Catalan giants in backroom roles.

Former defender Eric Abidal is technical secretary, while Patrick Kluivert was appointed academy director in July and Victor Valdes, the former goalkeeper, is a youth coach after retiring in January 2018.

Puyol spent 15 years in the first team between 1999 and 2014, captaining Barcelona through the most successful period in their history.

In total, he won six La Ligas, two Copa del Rey crowns, three Champions Leagues, four Supercopa de Espanas and one Super Cup.

Puyol also earned 100 caps for Spain, winning Euro 2008 and following it up with lifting the 2010 World Cup but then missed the Euro 2012 triumph through injury.