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
Valencia will face Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey after a 1-0 second-leg win over Real Betis secured a 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory. Rodrigo Moreno's goal early in the second half
Copa del Rey Final - LIVE! Barcelona vs Valencia
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held Papastathopoulos changed the game as the Gunners slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Rennes on a night of tightly-contested Europa League last-16 first-leg
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held - The Huffington
Mourinho put on Ranieri's initials consequence of his sacking by Leicester last year, a sign of respect to the man who nine months earlier had taken them to the title. The Portuguese is having a hard time at Old Trafford with the Reds in eighth place,18 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and eight from the top four.
Premier League Sacking Season kicks-off as Fulham Fires Jokanovic
LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur gained revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned a 2-0 victory on Wednesday to put them into the League
Football: Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League
I think the issue with VAR is simply how we perceive what the rules are. The reason so many of us 'disagree' with many of the calls made is because we just don't know the way the law is worded. The team of refs in the VAR room constantly talk to the referee as he makes calls on the pitch.
442oons - YouTube
LONDON: Aston Villa returned to the Premier League, after a three year absence, beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Monday (May 27). Goals from Anwar El Ghazi
Soccer: Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
EPL: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth - Punch
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview that he wants Lionel Messi to remain linked to the club forever. who was always at Santos. We want Messi to
'We want Messi to always be at Barca' - Bartomeu
Business BlackRock aims to be a top asset manager in China, Fink says. Investment giant sees Asia driving 50% of growth over next five years
US-China rivalry may become dangerous, Asian leaders and
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao - Press Conference FULL VIDEO - Face Off 3/11.15 Mauka Mauka (Quarter Finals Ka Mauka) - ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 UFC 185 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 5
The Chelsea coach is reportedly poised to succeed Massimiliano Allegri and a potential switch to Turin could see the Italian champions raid his former club Napoli for star defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Tottenham Hotspur poised to receive £8.5m from Boris Johnson
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar