The coach has lent his name to a pro-independence party in a symbolic gesture aimed at boosting the chances of separatism from Spain

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is to stand for office in the parliamentary elections to be held in Catalunya in September.

The former Barcelona boss is a staunch supporter of independence for the region in which he grew up and believes lending his name to the campaign of pro-secession party Convergencia i Esquerra will boost hopes of separatism from Spain.

Guardiola has no intention of becoming a Member of Parliament, reports in Catalunya claim, but is keen to add weight to the fight for independence in the forthcoming elections.

The 44-year-old coach is the last name on the “parliamentary list”, which also brings together a number of separatist groups in an attempt to push for secession.

The announcement was made by MEP Ramon Tremosa on Twitter, with the list to be officially unveiled later on Monday in Barcelona.

Guardiola has participated in the Diada (Catalunya’s national day, celebrated on September 11) for the past three years, sending a video message from New York during his sabbatical in 2012.

The former Barca captain also returned to the Catalan capital last November to vote in a referendum on independence.

Source Goal