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Next Barcelona assistant coach to be Xavi, regardless of who gets managerial job

By Chiranjib Ghosh

SOCHI, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Former Spain player Xavi looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Simon Hofmann - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Former Spain player Xavi looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Simon Hofmann - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona legend Xavi will return to the club next season

The relationship between Xavi and Barcelona is such that the midfielder cannot be seen as separate from his boyhood club. Even after he decided to leave in order to join Al-Sadd, Xavi did not severe his ties with the club and frequently commented on crucial issues.

Last season, he started an UEFA coaching course alongside 2010 World Cup-winning teammates Raúl and Xabi Alonso, apart from fellow La Masia graduate Víctor Valdés and Brazil-born Spanish defensive midfielder Marcos Senna.

By the beginning of next season, that course will be completed and Xavi is going to receive his UEFA Pro license to start coaching professionally. But the Barça legend will begin his non-playing career by assisting a more experienced manager.

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Unsurprisingly, the 39-year old 8-time La Liga winner will also begin his coaching career at the Camp Nou. Xavi has already announced that he will retire when his contract expires at the end of the season, and is one of the candidates to replace Ernesto Valverde.

The Basque coach is expected to be dismissed as manager, following Barça’s failure to win the Champions League for a second season in a row under his leadership. Barça will probably appoint an experienced hand as his successor, but not Xavi.

But it is certain that Xavi will assist whoever gets the job. It would be better for the ex-Culé if one of his former teammates is hired. But since that looks unlikely, Xavi will be groomed as future Barça manager by an outside like Erik ten Hag or Quique Setién.

Xavi will probably spend a couple of years assisting Valverde’s replacement before taking over. It is possible that Xavi gets the Barcelona B job, but that would be unwise considering Xavi García Pimienta’s experience working with some of La Masia’s most talented youngsters.

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So, the Pep Guardiola route to the managerial position at Barça is not the one to be taken by Xavi. But the legend could be as successful as Guardiola regardless.