Although he is still not done with his career as a professional soccer player, Spain and Barcelona’s legend Xavi Hernandez is already preparing for his retirement. The 38-year-old, who is currently playing for Qatar’s Al Sadd, is working on getting his managerial licenses and hopes to obtain UEFA pro license next year, which would enable him to train any team.
“I have a part [of the coaching licenses to be a manager],” – said Xavi about the process. “I still have one more year left to get the UEFA pro license to be able to coach the big clubs in Europe. Now, for example, I can train Qatar and in small countries, football-wise. At Barca I could train the youth team.“
Xavi Hernandez’s ambition to coach in Europe immediately got people speculating that he could follow Pep Guardiola’s footsteps and return to Spain to coach Barcelona. As it turns out, Xavi can’t see himself in that role at the moment. This, of course, doesn’t mean that he won’t decide to pursue a coaching career at Nou Camp when he gets the feeling he is ready.
“People go faster than what I think. It has always happened to me. When I was a player they talked about the new Guardiola, and I did not see that myself. I needed two-three years to see [myself playing in that role].” – he added. “Now it’s the same as a manager. I still don’t see myself as ready and prepared to do it. They say Xavi will be the future Barcelona manager, but we must be patient because I still don’t see it.“
Xavi is considered one of the best midfielders of all time and ranks at the top as one of Spain’s most successful players. With Barcelona, he won 25 trophies including eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. Playing for Spain men’s national team, he won FIFA World Cup in 2010 and UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
