Xavi Targets Barcelona Return, Hints at Coaching Role

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez—now plying his trade at Qatari club Al Sadd—has revealed he is hoping to return to the club one day as a coach.

So reports Sport, which shares the Spaniard's comments in an interview with Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, in which he revealed he has already begun training to become a coach:

"

I like the pitch, being close to the actual football, what happens in the game itself. I'm going to learn the trade—I've already started my education here at the Aspire Academy. ...

After that, I don't know what the future will hold for me, but of course I'd like to return to Barca one day. That's my aim and the closer it is to the pitch, the better.

"

The 35-year-old is still playing of course, so any coaching role at a club as big as the Catalan giants won't likely come until he has retired from taking part on the field.

Xavi enjoyed an incredible trophy-laden 24-year association with the club, making 742 appearances and winning eight La Liga titles, four Champions League titles and three Copa del Rey titles.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

He also came third in the running for the Ballon d'Or three seasons running from 2009 to 2011, each time losing out to team-mate Lionel Messi.

Naturally, he would undoubtedly be welcomed back with open arms after making an emotional farewell in the summer.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez would be among many to enjoy his return. Here, he highlighted the Spaniard's remarkable effect on the team as they came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the Champions League last season:

Barca have had great success over the years employing former greats as managers, including the likes of Johan Cruyff and more recently Pep Guardiola and current boss Luis Enrique.

The midfielder's seemingly inevitable return to the Camp Nou could well continue that tradition one day, and like Cruyff, Guardiola and Enrique, his intimate knowledge of the club, its ethos and its history could well see him enjoy yet more unrivalled success with his boyhood club beyond his playing career.