After Barcelona announced Ronald Koeman was staying on as coach, Xavi Hernandez broke his silence in an interview with La Vanguardia.
He was one of the big names on the table as a potential Koeman replacement.
“Luckily or unluckily, I’d said no twice to Barca, for different circumstances, family, professional, contractual reasons,” said Xavi. “It was very hard to say no because I am a cule but it was not the moment.”
The Al-Sadd coach did not hide his intentions for the future. “I’m open, I’m not fooling anyone. I’m preparing myself for this, but you have to respect Koeman, a club legend with another year on his contract.”
Xavi will stay in Qatar for now then, not in a hurry.
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"I land in Barcelona, they wait for me at the airport and as soon as I arrive people send me messages. But haven't they told you anything? Well no, firstly because there is a coach who is Koeman, who must be respected, and then because I'm in no rush. What has to come will come," he concluded on this matter.