Pep Guardiola is hoping to engage Paolo Maldini as a coach at Barcelona once he officially hangs up his boots at AC Milan.

The 40-year-old Italian will retire from the beautiful game after 24 seasons and has been quoted to be disinterested in getting into coaching.

However, Guardiola wants to employ Maldini to provide coaching on defending and pass on his experience to the players at La Blaugrana and has started negotiations with the former Italy international.

"He is the greatest European player over the past 20 years," Guardiola told reporters.

A hiatus from the Serie A may just be what Maldini requires, spending at least a season on the bench alongside a rookie coach learning his trade as well.

Demetrio Albertini has been said to have filled Maldini in about like in Catalonia as he enjoyed a brief stint there in 2005.

Guardiola is keen on wheeling and dealing both playing and training staff to achieve a freshness that will prevent the club from stagnating after winning it all this season.