Xavi spent the bulk of his career starring in the Barcelona midfield, playing over 700 games and winning 25 trophies.
The Catalan left Camp Nou in 2015 to spend his twilight years for Al Sadd. Before long, he came the Qatari club’s manager after finishing his playing career last year.
Following Ernesto Valverde’s sudden dismissal in January, however, Xavi was offered his dream job at Barcelona. But he didn’t want to move mid-season and rejected it.
“I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited,” Xavi told La Vanguardia.
“Now that I have seen myself coaching I think I can bring things to the players.
“But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from zero and in which the decision-making was mine.”
On his decision to turn the Blaugrana down, Xavi added: “I have no problem: I don’t hide, I don’t take it back.
“I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty and who are very valid people.
“There can’t be anyone toxic around the dressing room.”
