Former Barcelona manager and legend Xavi has revealed he would ‘love to work in the Premier League’.
The 45-year-old, who played for Barcelona for 17 years, began his managerial career at Al Sadd in Qatar in 2019, before returning to Camp Nou in 2021.
Barcelona sat in ninth in the league when Xavi took over and he led them to the La Liga title in 2023.
But he stepped down after two and a half years in charge citing ‘mistreatment’.
‘I think the club needs a change of dynamic,’ he said as he announced his resignation.
‘In Barcelona, you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works.’
Former Barcelona boss Xavi admitted he would love to manage a team in the Premier League
The Barcelona and Spain legend has been without a job since leaving Camp Nou a year ago
Xavi guided Barcelona to their first La Liga title in four years in his first full season in charge
The Spanish World Cup winner has been without a job for a year and admitted he would be delighted to land a Premier League role.
‘Of course? Where, I don’t know,’ he told The Athletic when asked about his return to coaching.
‘There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project. Like, ‘You have four years to work and make a project.’ I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it’s too much about the result.
‘Or a national team, that would appeal. When I dreamed about being a coach, I dreamed about being in a World Cup or European Championship.’
Xavi criticised the treatment of managers in Spain.
‘Look at what’s happening to Ancelotti, with everyone criticizing him. It’s not fair. He’s won thirty titles in ten years and they talk like he’s won nothing.
‘Arsenal with Arteta is a great project. It’s his sixth year and there have been tough seasons, but the club trusted him. That doesn’t happen in Spain.’
Although Xavi guided Barcelona to their first La Liga title in four years in his first full season in charge, he had a prickly relationship with some players.
Raphinha criticised Xavi earlier this week for not trusting or giving him enough game time
Xavi hit out at the treatment of managers in Spain and said that criticism of Ancelotti is unfair
Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years before he returned to the Catalans as manager in 2021
Earlier this week, Raphinha has hit out at his former boss Xavi not trusting him and said he even considered moving to Saudi Arabia last summer.
The Brazilian has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Hansi Flick, scoring 31 goals and providing 25 assists in all competitions, and has been tipped for the Ballon d’Or.
The 28-year-old, who moved from Leeds United in July 2022, started just 17 league matches under Xavi last season.
He completed a full 90 minutes on just eight occasions during two seasons under the Barcelona legend.
And while he won La Liga in 2023, Raphinha admitted he considered moving because Xavi ‘did not trust him’.
‘I felt like the coach [Xavi] and his staff did not trust me,’ Raphinha told Isabela Pagliari.
‘When there was no other [player], I was there and I played 90 minutes. I gave everything I could give and had an impact on games, but when there was another [player] who could play in my place, they picked them without even thinking about it.
‘Sometimes, I was doing everything for 60 minutes and they would take me off. There’s a famous video in which I explode when I reach the bench and punch it.
‘I think it was the game against Manchester United [in the Europa League in 2023]. I had done really well. I had scored and set up a goal. I think it was 2-2 and they took me off.
‘I had just created a really good chance. I felt good and was playing well. And I was the first player taken off. I could not believe it.’
