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Tag: Xavi

  • Barcelona legend Xavi contracts coronavirus

    Barcelona legend Xavi contracts coronavirus

    Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that he tested positive for coronavirus and will be in self-isolation.

    Xavi, who now manages Qatar Stars League football club ”Al Sadd” will miss his side’s return to competitive action against Al Khor tonight.

    In a post on Instagram, Xavi wrote: “A few days ago, following the @qsl protocol, I tested positive in the last COVID19 test.

    “Fortunately, I’m feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the all-clear. When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.”

     

  • If I was Xavi, I’d never join this Barcelona – Laporta

    If I was Xavi, I’d never join this Barcelona – Laporta

    Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has warned Xavi off a return to the Nou Camp.

    Al Sadd coach revealed that he turned down the chance to succeed Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona boss in January.

    Laporta, who is thought to be interested in running in the upcoming presidential elections at the Camp Nou, spoke out against current president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

    “If I were Xavi, I’d never come with this board,” Laporta said.

    Laporta also touched on the future of Lionel Messi, whose Barcelona contract expires in 2021.

    “I hope that he’s there in 2021, but I’m scared that a bad decision from the board could cause an irreversible decision,” he said.

  • Xavi will be Barca coach sooner – Bartomeu

    Xavi will be Barca coach sooner – Bartomeu

    Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted Xavi will become the club’s manager “sooner or later” but revealed the club is ready to back Quique Setien for next season.

    The Catalans have struggled to impress under Setien and are currently second in La Liga with Real Madrid in pole position to claim the league title.

    That situation, combined with Barcelona’s lacklustre displays, has led to speculation Setien could be replaced at the season’s end with Xavi himself preparing for a return to Camp Nou as a manager.

    “Xavi will be Barca’s coach, sooner or later. But right now we are not looking for a coach, we are with Quique,” Bartomeu told TV3.

    “Quique Setien will coach the team in the Champions League and these last two Liga games that are left.

    “We have had a very atypical season, we will play in August and he will be the coach. If we overcome Napoli, we will be in Lisbon.

    “Our will is to fulfil contracts and Setien has one. We went to Setien’s house to speak about the future, the plans for next season. He will probably be there and I am very interested to hear what he thinks.

    “He has a lot of time for Riqui Puig and Ansu [Fati]. We have seen Pedri and [Francisco] Trincao in form, there is hope.”

     

  • La Liga: Xavi admits preparing to coach Barca

    La Liga: Xavi admits preparing to coach Barca

    Xavi has revealed his staff are preparing “a lot” to coach Barcelona as the Camp Nou great eyes a return.

    Barca have struggled to convince this season – the titleholders now two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in the race for La Liga glory with six matches remaining.

    “The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways,” Xavi, who has led Al-Sadd to Qatari Super Cup and Qatar Cup silverware, said via Sport.

    “Not me but these players and Barca triumphing. And as a consequence, our technical staff, who are preparing for it a lot and it makes us really excited.”

  • I told Xavi to take Barca job before Messi retires – Eto’o

    I told Xavi to take Barca job before Messi retires – Eto’o

    Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o admits he’s urged Xavi to return to the Nou Camp before Lionel Messi retires.

    Al Sadd coach Xavi turned down the job at Barca over the New Year ahead of Quique Setien replacing Ernesto Valverde.

    And Eto’o says he’s since spoken to Xavi about returning to the Blaugrana.

    He revealed, “I told Xavi that whatever happens he must return to Barça – and I told him he must do it while the football god is still there.

    “He played with him (Messi), and that will make it easier for him than anyone else.”

  • Lionel Messi named best player of all time

    Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the best player of all-time while Ronaldinho belongs among the greats, according to Xavi.

    Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is considered among the modern-day greats, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

    His former team-mate, Xavi, has no doubt the Argentina international is the greatest player ever.

    “Ronaldinho is at the level of the best, perhaps what he lacked was constancy,” the Al-Sadd coach told Globo Esporte.

    “Perhaps he lacked constancy in being at his peak. For me, only Messi is above Ronaldinho because of the constancy of the last few years.”

    Xavi added: “Messi is the best in history, but Ronaldinho is with the best. The rest follow.

    “He [Ronaldinho] is with the best – with Ronaldo ‘Fenomeno’, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, that group.”

  • Xavi would be under pressure as Barca coach – Rivaldo

    Xavi would be under pressure as Barca coach – Rivaldo

    Former Brazil international Rivaldo has revealed that Xavi would be a good fit as manager at Camp Nou – but must face up to a huge weight of expectation.

    Xavi, a former captain of Barca has also spoken recently of his desire to take over as manager of his old team, although the former Spain international said “there can’t be anyone toxic around the dressing room” if he is appointed in the near future.

    World Cup winner, Rivaldo also warned Xavi could be under added pressure because of his reputation and his similarities to another Barca playmaker-turned-manager, Pep Guardiola.

    “I believe that Xavi will become Barcelona manager in the future as he is not only a good person who knows the club inside out, but also seems to have good qualities as manager”, Rivaldo told Betfair.

    “In the right moment he will know that the time to coach Barcelona has come and he will try to get his Barca team close to his golden generation at the Camp Nou.

    “The pressure of raising the club to that level will be high, especially because he had a similar professional career to Pep Guardiola, a somewhat identical style of playing and could now replicate a system in which he was a maestro.

    “Of course, it won’t be easy to make anything similar and he would need to have the right players at the right time to put his system working perfectly. When you have got this kind of pressure it’s because other people trust you and you are in charge of a big club with huge ambitions. Any manager would love to coach Barcelona.

    “Much will depend on the players he has when he arrives in Barcelona. He must add two or three key pieces to strengthen the group and give him a chance of matching Guardiola’s levels.”

  • Why I rejected Barca offer – Xavi

    Why I rejected Barca offer – Xavi

    Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez, has explained that he turned down an opportunity to become the club’s new manager because he is only just beginning his managerial career.

    Xavi appeared set to replace Ernesto Valverde at the Nou Camp after Barcelona chiefs, Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau held talks with him in Doha and offered him a contract.

    But the Al-Sadd manager rejected a two-and-a-half-year deal and the Blaugrana quickly turned their attention to Quique Setien.

    “Yes, I received an offer from Barcelona in a meeting with Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau but I did not accept it, especially because it is too early to train Barcelona but it will remain my dream in the future to be a Barca coach,” Xavi told Mundo Deportivo.

     

    “First I told my family and then the Al Sadd players because they followed the issue.

    “For three days I was not in my best position but now I am totally focused on Al Sadd.”

  • I want Barca, Premier League job – Xavi

    I want Barca, Premier League job – Xavi

    Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi wants to return to his former club as manager, but is also keen to manage in the Premier League.

    Xavi made over 700 appearances for his boyhood club Barcelona and is the third most capped Spanish international footballer, playing 133 times for his country.

    The man who was at the heart of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships ended his incredible playing career five months ago to take his first steps into management with Al Sadd in Qatar, the club he spent his final four years with as a player.

    Despite being in the infancy of his managerial career, Xavi admits the ultimate goal is to return to manage Barcelona.

    He said: “I don’t hide it, my goal is to return to Europe and return to Barca, it is my challenge ahead, but I’m still learning in this project and I’m also enjoying it.

    “My idea, which also happened to me as a footballer, is to be in Barcelona.

    “Training this type of team would be a privilege and the greatest privilege for me would be to return to Barca.”

    Although a return to the Catalan club is the target, Xavi has not ruled out a managerial role in the Premier League should an opportunity arise.

    He added: “That is my goal, but obviously, who doesn’t like the Premier League? The football atmosphere, the packed stadiums and the people who play in the Premier League say it’s extraordinary.

    “Obviously if I had to choose, I would choose a big team, [Manchester] City or United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham.

    “Also, [Jurgen] Klopp and [Mauricio] Pochettino and Unai Emery, many people who have gone there are doing an extraordinary job.”

  • I don’t see Neymar returning to Barca – Xavi

    I don’t see Neymar returning to Barca – Xavi

    Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandes believes there is no chance that Brazil forward, Neymar will rejoin the LaLiga champions in the near future.

    Neymar is in his second season at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Camp Nou in 2017, but the 26-year-old is already linked with a return to Barca.

    The Brazil star reportedly met with Andre Cury, an advisor to Barca in terms of signings, during the international break.

    But Xavi – who won eight LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues at Barca – dismissed any suggestions Neymar could complete a move to his former club.

    “I don’t see it. I don’t see it. I also think it didn’t work out well, I don’t see it in any way,” Xavi told Cadena SER.

    “I read a lot of press because I’m up to date with everything football, but I see zero chances that Neymar can return to Barcelona.”

    The PSG star has scored 13 goals in 16 games for PSG this season as he enjoys another prolific campaign with the Ligue 1 powerhouse.

    Xavi praised the former Santos star’s ability and believes Neymar can reach the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “If he is mature and works, he will be close to Cristiano and Messi,” he said.

    “He can be decisive, but it depends on him.”