Xavi confirms rejected Barcelona approach

Al Sadd manager Xavi has revealed that he has turned down the chance to become Barcelona's new head coach on two occasions.

The 41-year-old, who represented Barca between 1991 and 2015 as a player, has been linked with the position at Camp Nou on a regular basis.

There were suggestions that the former midfielder would return to the club this summer as a replacement for Ronald Koeman, but the Dutchman is now staying on as head coach.

Xavi has suggested that he does want to step into the role in the future, but he is not currently ready to take on the high-profile job.

"Luckily or unluckily, I'd said no twice to Barca, for different circumstances, family, professional, contractual reasons," Xavi told La Vanguardia. "It was very hard to say no because I am a cule but it was not the moment.

"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 represented Barca's first team on 767 occasions between 1998 and 2015 before moving to Qatar.