Barcelona board spokesperson Charly Rexach says he expects Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola to be back working at the Catalan club at some stage.
Guardiola was a popular figure at Barcelona after coming up through the youth ranks and establishing himself as an important player for the club before excelling as a coach, leading the team to 14 trophies in just four seasons.
On Wednesday, he will take his Bayern side to the Camp Nou, and Rexach -- who was part of the coaching team at Barca during Guardiola's playing career -- believes the 44-year-old will return to the club at some stage.
"It will be later rather than sooner, in whatever role," Rexach said. "Guardiola forms part of Barca, just as [former player, coach and current honorary president Franz] Beckenbauer is to Bayern."
Guardiola is approaching the final year of the deal he agreed when taking charge of Bayern and has said he has every intention of seeing out that contract.
However, his future beyond the end of next season is uncertain, with persistent reports linking him with the Premier League, although there has been some talk of a return to Barca due to the upcoming presidential elections.
For now, though, the focus is on Wednesday's Champions League semifinal first leg.
Guardiola had made his first visit to the Camp Nou since his 2012 departure to watch Barca's 1-0 second-leg victory over Manchester City in the round of 16 in March, when he used his own season ticket to sit in the stand beside his father.
Wednesday's game will mark the first time he has led a team against Barca, though, and Rexach said he was sure it would be an emotional reunion.
"It will be difficult for everyone involved, starting with Pep, who is returning to his old love, but also for our fans, who adore Pep for the gifts he has given us," he said. "But now they want to see Barca win, and through that they hurt Pep. Everyone in the stadium will be experiencing a range of emotions."
ESPN FC's Germany correspondent Stephan Uersfeld contributed to this report.