Former Barcelona star Xavi has backed Pep Guardiola to return to the club when he feels the time is right. Guardiola enjoyed remarkable...
Pep Guardiola to return to the club when
he feels the time is right.
Guardiola enjoyed remarkable success at
Camp Nou before stepping down in 2012
and, with his Bayern Munich contract up
next summer, rumours abound that he
could quit the Allianz Arena.
Manchester City have been mooted as his
next destination, while a role as either
coach or sporting director back with Barca
has also been suggested, and Xavi has
little doubt his old boss will return.
"I enjoyed a very successful period with
Pep at Barcelona and I know he'll choose
the right moment to return to the club,"
Xavi, now of Al Sadd, told the club's official
website.
The experienced midfielder has also once
more hit out at the manner of Iker
Casillas' exit from Real Madrid this
summer, with the goalkeeper afforded a
hastily-arranged tribute just prior to his
move to Porto.
"He's a friend and one of the greatest in
this sport. I'm disappointed with how he
left Real Madrid, he deserved a lot
better," the former Spain midfielder said.
Xavi, who moved to Qatar this summer
after a trophy-laden career in Europe,
went on to reiterate his stance in the
debate over who is the better player
between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel
Messi.
"Cristiano is a great player but Messi is
the greatest in the history of football," he
said.
The 35-year-old spoke warmly of his brief
time in Qatar so far and is determined to
enjoy success with the club.
"[Former Spain and Al Sadd star] Raul only
told me good things about his spell with Al
Sadd. Everyone has treated me
excellently," he added.
"This team is like a family, that's helped
me to adapt. I've come to win trophies."
