Daily Times

BARCELONA: Spanish club FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday that former midfielder and club legend Xavi Hernandez will coach the club in near future.

Speaking to the media, Bartomeu said that Xavi, who currently plays for Qatari football club Al-Sadd, is preparing himself for a future role in Spain.

“He’s right now not only playing, he’s also learning as a coach. So of course one day Xavi will be one of the coaches of the club,” Bartomeu said.

When asked whether the 37-year-old will manage the first team or youth ranks, Bartomeu said it still remains a question of what the player has in mind.

“I don’t know which team of ours, but of course with the objective of one day coaching our first team,” he added.

Xavi had earlier slammed Barcelona officials for their lack of attention towards developing youth of La Masia, the club’s infamous youth academy.

The president also said that he expects Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi to continue serving the club once he hangs his boots.

“When he will give up playing football, he will continue with Barca. It will be very difficult to find in the future a player that is going to be like him,” said Josep.

He also lauded the five-time footballer of the year saying that there’s no perimeter to his talent.

“He will be for years and years the best player of the world. We don’t know where is his end, his limits,” he said.

Barcelona kick-off their pre-season in the United States (US) against Juventus on Saturday at MetLife stadium.