Andres Iniesta expects Xavi to take over at Barcelona

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 23 September 2021

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta expects his former midfield teammate Xavi to eventually become the club's new head coach in the future.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta expects his former midfield teammate Xavi to become the club's new head coach in the future.

Xavi is believed to be one of the leading candidates on the Catalan club's five-man shortlist to replace current manager Ronald Koeman, should they decide to relieve the Dutchman of his duties.

The 41-year-old has been learning the ropes as a manager since 2019 with Qatari outfit Al Sadd, and Iniesta believes his former Spanish colleague is more than ready to make the next step in his coaching career.

"I think [he is ready], yes. If you ask me if I imagine Xavi on the Barca bench. Above all because he's been preparing and training to coach Barca. He has the confidence to take on this challenge," Iniesta told Sport.

Iniesta himself has given his thoughts on a potential career in coaching when he retires, but the Vissel Kobe midfielder is unsure at present if he wants to go down that route.

"There are days you think you want to coach, others no, I don't know. Playing right now, it's hard to visualise anything else. It's true that I have to think about (coaching) and see what the possibilities are. What I would like to do and I think I will, is get my badges."

Xavi and Iniesta made a combined 1,441 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, winning seven La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns together in the same side.