Xavi Hernandez does not deny that it is his dream to one day be head coach of Barcelona. The 41-year-old club icon seemed to be in pole position for a long time to replace the troubled Ronald Koeman, but the Dutchman was still allowed to stay by chairman Joan Laporta. In an interview with La Vanguardia the head coach of Al-Sadd from Qatar breaks his silence on Saturday. “I’ve said ‘no’ to Barcelona twice.”
“For various reasons”, the former midfielder clarifies. “For family reasons, for professional reasons, for contractual reasons . . . Saying ‘no’ is very difficult because I cule am, but it was not the time.” Xavi can honestly say that he hopes to be part of the selection of Barcelona in the future. “I am more ready than the first day, I am also open to it. I am honest about it,” says the man who played 765 games for the Catalans.
“I am also preparing for that, but we have to respect Koeman. A club legend with a one-year contract left.” It is not clear whether Xavi was recently polled by Laporta or whether Barcelona’s two failed attempts are from the distant past. Xavi knows the news as he travels to Barcelona from Qatar. “I immediately received messages from all kinds of people about Barcelona. “Haven’t you heard?” No, because in the first place, with Koeman, Barcelona has a trainer who deserves respect. And second, I’m in no rush at all. What comes, that comes.”
Koeman’s position was already hanging by a thread after his first season with Barcelona as Laporta found the performance below par, despite a third place and a win of the Copa del Rey. The conclusion was that only if he could not find a suitable candidate could Koeman stay. This week, however, there was a turning point and Laporta indicated that the talks with Koeman went well and that the chance of a longer stay was greater than the chance of a departure, which was confirmed on Thursday.
“I am relieved to say that my players and staff can fully focus on the new season,” Koeman wrote on Twitter on Friday. “The last few weeks have been intense, but I am happy that President Joan Laporta has pledged his support to me and calm has returned. The focus of everyone at the club is the same: building a winning Barcelona and amassing successes.”