Xavi rules out managing Barcelona in near future as he takes aim at board for club chaos

Xavi rules out managing Barcelona in near future as club legend takes aim at hierarchy for chaos at boardroom level: ‘There’s a lot of external noise around, a lot of issues off the pitch’

  • Barcelona legend Xavi has been linked with the Catalan club’s manager role 
  • The ex-Barca midfielder is currently coaching Qatari champions Al-Sadd
  • The 40-year-old was asked to take over at Barcelona in January of this year
  • Xavi admitted it was not the right time and made a dig at the Barcelona board 

Former Barcelona great Xavi has ruled out coaching the club in the near term, citing institutional problems as a reason to bide his time and remain in his role with Qatar’s Al Sadd.

Xavi rejected the offer to coach his former club back in January when they sacked Ernesto Valverde, and even though current manager Quique Setien’s role is far from secure the Catalan is still unwilling to return for the time being.

The former Spain player alluded to some of the problems president Josep Maria Bartomeu has faced, including a scandal involving the hiring of a social media monitoring firm and fallout from a pay-cut the club introduced in April.

Former Barcelona great Xavi has ruled out managing the Catalan club in the near future

Former Barcelona great Xavi has ruled out managing the Catalan club in the near future

Xavi won 25 trophies with Barcelona as a player and was asked to manage the club this year

Xavi won 25 trophies with Barcelona as a player and was asked to manage the club this year

‘There’s a lot of external noise around the club, a lot of issues off the pitch and I don’t think now is the right time,’ Xavi told Icon magazine.

‘In January I told them it wasn’t the right time and they haven’t contacted me since.

‘I’m delighted to continue to gain experience and challenge myself and of course it’ll be a privilege for me to one day coach Barca.’

The 40-year-old is currently managing Al-Sadd in Qatar and took aim at the Barcelona board

The 40-year-old is currently managing Al-Sadd in Qatar and took aim at the Barcelona board

Xavi also urged Barca to hand a new contract to Lionel Messi, whose current deal expires next year, amid reports the Argentine is disillusioned with Bartomeu’s leadership.

‘He has earned it, he should have an automatic clause,’ Xavi said of the club’s all-time top scorer.

‘Messi needs Barca and Barca need Messi. They have to make him happy, because a happy Messi will win more trophies. 

Xavi (left) also talked about the importance of ex-team-mate Lionel Messi (right) to Barcelona

Xavi (left) also talked about the importance of ex-team-mate Lionel Messi (right) to Barcelona

‘He has done what Pele, Cruyff, Maradona and Ronaldo all did but over a period of 15 years and in the modern era.

‘He is at an incredible level physically, tactically and technically and continues to be the best player in every game.’

source: dailymail.co.uk