Xavi rejected a chance to join Brazil backroom staff: “Wanted to coach Barcelona” | OneFootball

When Xavi signed up as the new manager of FC Barcelona in November last year, there was some skepticism over the appointment due to his lack of experience at the highest level. After all, he only had a stint at Al Sadd on his CV.

The lack of diversity on his profile was out of personal choice, for Xavi did not accept several offers from both clubs and countries on his table. The biggest such offer was arguably one from the Brazilian National Team.

In a recent interview with ESPN Brasil (h/t AS), during which he revealed Barcelona were in talks with Endrick, Xavi also spoke about the proposal from the South American nation to join the Selecao as the assistant coach to manager Tite.

The Barcelona manager legend first elaborated on the exact offer that arrived at his table and the reason why he turned down the historical chance.

“It was an opportunity through the president of the Brazilian Federation (Rogério Caboclo). They came to Qatar and told me that I could be part of Tite’s coaching staff. But I wanted to be a coach, not an assistant. My wish was to be a coach,” Xavi said.

“It would have been a tremendous opportunity. It was a chance to be the first European to work for the Brazilian national team. But, at that time, it didn’t happen. It was clear to me that I wanted to be a coach for Barcelona, that it was my dream, and here I am.”

Xavi was then asked about a possible stint as the manager of the Brazilian National Team in the future. And the 42-year-old did not decline the possibility, saying:

“You never know. It would be a spectacular opportunity, but my intention was to go to Barcelona. You never know in the future, I’m working hard and nothing can be ruled out.”

Xavi’s Barcelona suffered a group-stage elimination in the Champions League this season but are going strong in La Liga. They currently sit atop the league standings with 37 points, two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Needless to say, they will have a small edge over their competition when club football returns in late December.