Iniesta gives his verdict on Xavi’s new Barcelona job

The FC Barcelona legend has backed his former teammate to rise to the challenge at Camp Nou.

Andres Iniesta has backed Xavi Hernandez as a perfect fit to succeed Ronald Koeman as Barcelona’s new manager.

After six-and-a-half years away from Camp Nou, Xavi is back. The Catalan has replaced the fired Koeman as head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract until June 2024. The club will unveil him to fans on Monday before he takes charge of first-team training on Tuesday.

Xavi returns off the back of a successful two-year coaching spell at Al Sadd in Qatar. In 102 games, he oversaw 67 victories (D17 L18) and led the club to seven titles – including the Qatar Stars League.

To be continued… pic.twitter.com/KjvTm5ZfP3

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This leaves Iniesta convinced about his former teammate’s credentials as a manager.

“Xavi fits perfectly, that’s for sure,” the former Blaugrana captain told beIN SPORTS. “Not only because of what he represents as Xavi, but as a coach and how he’s prepared to face this challenge.”

Iniesta added: “I wish him all the luck in the world and I am convinced that he will be fine because he has prepared for that moment and is very excited to be able to take on this challenge.

“I hope that the circumstances will be in place to succeed. I wish him well. For him as a teammate, as for Barca, for the club, of course.”