Xavi says coaching FC Barcelona his long-time goal

The legendary midfielder is keen on returning to the Camp Nou.

xavi manager
Image source: barcablaugranes.com

Al-Sadd manager and former Barcelona player Xavi has stated his desire to coach Barcelona sooner rather than later. The Spaniard, who was recently affected by Covid-19, is determined to return to the field. While speaking in an interview with Marca, Xavi wasn’t shy enough to admit that he is eager to coach his former club.

I don’t hide, I’ve always said it, my main goal, when the time comes, is Barcelona. It’s my home and it would be a dream come true. But now I’m focused on Al Sadd, excited by the new season. When Barcelona have to come, short or long term, it’ll come. Above all, you have to respect Quique Setien, and I wish the best to the team.

Setien has been linked with an exit from Blaugrana this summer after not leading his side to win the La Liga title. Xavi emerged as one of the primary candidates to become the new manager, although he had previously mentioned that he would like to start the project from scratch should he return to Barca. It is also understood that the Spaniard is not the fan of the current President Josep Maria Bartomeu, which makes it harder for Xavi to make his return sooner than expected. Barca are also searching for short-time replacements, having been linked with the likes of Laurent Blanc in recent times.

Besides, Xavi also appreciated Setien’s philosophy, which is to dominate possession and play an attractive brand of football

Sometimes Barcelona play very well, other times well, and others, not so well. But I like Setien’s ideas, now and with his previous teams: dominating and playing attractive football. Sometimes it doesn’t come off, it’s true, but the rival makes it difficult for you. We have seen very beautiful and very good games from Barcelona with Setien, no doubt about it.

The former Las Palmas manager’s fate relies on how Barca performs in the Champions League. Regardless, it is unlikely to see him beyond this summer. The Catalan club will play Napoli in the round of 16-second leg in the space of fewer than 10 days. They would next play Bayern Munich should they qualify for the quarter-finals.

Xavi has recently signed a one-year contract extension with Al-Sadd, and it remains to be seen whether the current hierarchy of Barcelona would be able to bring him back to the Nou Camp.

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