Pep to stand for Catalan independence

Bayern Munich coach and Barcelona hero Pep Guardiola will make a symbolic stand for election to the Catalan parliament in a campaign for his native region to be independent from Spain, media reported Monday.

Spanish newspaper El Pais said Guardiola, 44, would stand as the last candidate on the electoral list for the pro-independence alliance planning to run in the election in September.

Being the last name on the list would make him unable to win a seat in the regional parliament, El Pais said -- but the former player and coach would be a powerful talisman for the independence movement.

He led Barcelona to domestic and Champions League glory as coach of the club.