TEHERAN • Xavi Hernandez hopes to one day become the coach of Spanish champions Barcelona, the club where he spent 17 years of his 21-year senior career.
But for now, the 39-year-old, who officially hung up his boots on Monday, indicated that he will stay in Qatar to begin his coaching career.
He is likely to remain in a highly paid role with his club Al Sadd, rather than return to Spain.
"The idea is to start as a coach in Qatar, where there is less pressure, to test myself and get some experience," he told Spain's Efe agency in Teheran just hours before Al Sadd faced Iranian side Persepolis in their last group match of the AFC Champions League on Monday.
"I eventually want to return to Europe and hopefully Barcelona but I'm excited to start as a coach, although I'm not ready yet for the top level. I need to walk before I can run but obviously my ultimate goal is to end up becoming Barcelona coach.
"Football can be played in many different ways but I've always been a huge fan of Barcelona's approach.
"The way in which they control the game and keep the ball is the style I've grown up with and it is the style I'll use when I'm a coach."
Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira predicted that Xavi will become a great manager in future, adding it was beautiful to work with "one of the best players in the world".
Xavi helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and also four Champions League and eight LaLiga titles with Barcelona. But he ended his career on a low key when Al Sadd were beaten 2-0 by Persepolis.
Several home fans brandished banners reading "Adios Xavi" to show their appreciation of the player who with Andres Iniesta formed the backbone of one of Barcelona's greatest ever sides.
Xavi was also honoured by the Persepolis management who presented him with a jersey featuring the No. 6 he has worn in his career.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Fulham appoint Ranieri after sacking Jokanovic After 12 games, Fulham sit bottom of the pile with just five points and one win from 12 games. People are having a very hard time accepting
Scott Parker insists Fulham can end miserable away run at
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 West Ham's Michail Antonio celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
Former European Cup winners AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their nearest rivals both booked
AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite SPAL win
Hasselbaink also claims that if Chelsea's ban is kept in place then Derby boss Frank Lampard could be the go to man if Maurizio Sarri leaves. Hasselbaink added: "If Chelsea get a transfer ban
Maurizio Sarri Needs More Time With Transfers - Last Word on
PARIS (AFP) - Arsenal face an uphill battle to progress in the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat by BATE Borisov in the last-32 first leg which saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off on Thursday (Feb 14)..
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off - worldfootball.net
Card-carrying gamblers have say on new system. CANADA - The [VLT] card system, to be introduced before summer, will enable players to track how often they win or lose and the amount of money they've spent on gambling, Ms. Grant said. The government has estimated there are about 15,000 problem gamblers in Nova Scotia.
Best online dating sites
best-online-dating-sites.us.com
Best online dating sites : Find The Best Casual Dating Sites. The Best Dating Sites. Compare Our Top 10 Picks for Online Dating.
Best 9mm Self-Defense Ammo for Concealed Carry - Top 5 Rated
LIVERPOOL - Liverpool were left to regret two huge missed chances by Mohamed Salah as Everton held out for a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top
Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top spot in Premier
Can You Keep It? "You do have that moment of 'Oh my God, I won the lottery,'" said Holland, a marketing executive in Louisville, Kentucky. She didn't call her bank immediately.
How to Use Your Bank Account During Filing of Chapter 13
'Massive' victory gives Pochettino renewed belief. The Spurs manager admitted it was vital for his team to start the new year with a bang and record a "massive" victory at Cardiff that
Latest TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | The Straits Times
Liverpool, who are five points ahead of defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table, drew 1-1 at home to Leicester City on Wednesday, prompting questions about their ability to stay the course as tension mounts in the run-in. "Yes, there is pressure," Klopp told Liverpool's official website.
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure
Take leap abroad, but with eyes open. Faris Ramli sealed a deal with SPL side Hougang just weeks after the mutual termination of his contract with Perlis. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/HOUGANG UNITED.
17 things that change forever when you live abroad
Cristiano Ronaldo has allayed injury fears after hobbling out of Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia on Monday night with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old pulled up clutching
Zinedine Zidane allays fears over Cristiano Ronaldo injury
LONDON (AFP) - Cardiff claim they are stunned by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The English Premier League football club
Premier League » News » Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen