This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
FC Barcelona's supporters have long been fans of Spanish player Xavi Hernandez, who spent 17 years at the club, lifting 25 trophies and becoming the all-time leading appearance maker.
As pressure mounts on coach Ernesto Valverde following a surprise 2-2 league draw at struggling Espanyol and a 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, Xavi has confirmed that he has been in talks with Barcelona's sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau.
Although Xavi did not provide details of the meeting, he acknowledged that it would be his dream to take charge of his former side one day, a sentiment he has expressed in numerous interviews.
“I cannot hide it’s my dream to coach Barcelona, I’ve said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart,” Xavi said in a news conference after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince’s Cup.
Representatives at Barcelona could not be reached for comment, but Al Sadd’s sporting director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi has confirmed that Xavi has been negotiating a move to Barca, stating, “There are negotiations between Xavi and Barcelona now and we wish him success wherever he decides to go.”
