Xavi: I want to coach Barcelona with Puyol and Cruyff

Xavi named former Barcelona team-mates Carles Puyol and Jordi Cruyff as the men he wants by his side should he get the chance to fulfil his ambition of becoming head coach at Camp Nou.

The 40-year-old won his second trophy as Al Sadd boss when he guided the club to glory in the Qatar Cup final in January, days after turning down the offer of taking charge of Barcelona.

At the time Xavi said it was “too soon” for him to coach the LaLiga champions, but in an interview with La Vanguardia magazine he made it clear that becoming Barca’s boss is very much in his plans.

“I am clear that I want to return to Barca,” he said. “I am very excited.

“Now that I have seen myself coaching, I think I can contribute things to the players.

“But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from scratch, and in which decision-making was mine.”

Xavi Hernandez has been named as the Best Coach for the months of December & January #AlSadd #QNBStarsLeague pic.twitter.com/kKq5ENcgB9

— AlSadd S.C | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) March 2, 2020

Xavi shared 15 years as a Barcelona with Puyol and together they won six LaLiga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, three Champions Leagues, the UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA World Cup Cups.

Cruyff’s time at Camp Nou came in the mid-90s, but Xavi said the 46-year-old, who is now head coach of Ecuador, would be his first choice as technical secretary.

“I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty, and who are very valid people,” said Xavi. “There cannot be anyone toxic near the locker room.

“We are talking about Carles Puyol, who was captain of Barca, and Jordi Cruyff, a very good businessman and with a lot of experience in the technical secretary.

“I am a team person; I don’t want to decide alone. Obviously I would like to be very in tune with everyone.

“In the locker room there can be no negativity, nothing toxic. I would like to enter with people from my environment to form a good team.”