'It'd be a privilege' - Xavi reiterates desire to manage Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez plans to appoint the likes of Jordi Cruyff and Carles Puyol as backroom staff when he takes the reins of Barcelona.

FC Barcelona knocked on club legend Xavi Hernandez’s doors after relieving Ernesto Valverde of his duties.

A former player of a team, most often than not, accepts when presented with the opportunity to take charge. An excellent and most recent example of this would be Andrea Pirlo’s appointment at Juventus.

But Xavi does not share the same mindset. He turned down Barca’s managerial offer, believing that the opportunity had come too early.

Additionally, there has been a turmoil happening at Camp Nou as of late with president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s approach to handling the club getting called into question – and this also had an influence on the former midfielder’s decision.

The World Cup winner, however, has not entirely ruled out managing Barca as he details his plan of forming his own backroom staff when the day finally comes.

“I am delighted to continue gaining coaching experience and challenging myself, but of course it would be a privilege for me to train Barca one day,” he said in an interview with El Pais.

“I’d want a dream team, with Jordi Cruyff, Carles Puyol, and some current players. I would like to make a team with important people who know the club, people who I trust, and will be loyal to me.

“In January I told them that it was not the right time and since then they have not contacted me. As a ‘cule’ I wish them the best.”