Former Barcelona coach Xavi has confirmed he plans to return to management in the summer after taking a sabbatical.
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Xavi ready to manage againHas taken sabbatical after Barcelona exitEager to win more trophiesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Xavi left Barcelona last May after two and a half seasons in charge during which time he won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana. The former Barcelona midfielder, who enjoyed a stellar career as a player, has since taken time away from the game but is now eager to return to management and wants to add more silverware to his extensive trophy cabinet.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT XAVI SAID
He told : "I don’t have anything established in my future, I have an open mind. Why not manage another La Liga side? I’m open to listening to offers. I’m looking for an exciting project and I have the ambition to win titles. That’s my goal. I like to see teams which play nice football and treat the ball well. Managers such as Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot at Liverpool, [Vincent] Kompany at Bayern… but I also like watching championships such as the Qatari, Saudi Arabian or Portuguese leagues. I want my players to have fun, perform an attractive football style for their fans and finally to win trophies. I want to win the Champions League, the Euros, the World Cup."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Xavi has previously been linked with Manchester United and Juventus and his standing in the game means he may not lack for offers this summer. The 45-year-old spent two years in charge of Al-Sadd, before his time back at Barcelona, and built an exciting team that won seven trophies.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR XAVI
Fans will have to wait and see where Xavi does move to next but, in the meantime, he's likely to be cheering on his beloved Barcelona. The Catalans are currently top of La Liga and in good shape to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after enjoying a 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their last 16 tie.
