Xavi reportedly rejected the opportunity to become the manager in January. But Samuel Eto’o believes it is the right time for the former mildfied maestro to take charge at Barcelona now that Lionel Messi is still on the book.
Eto’o played with club legend Xavi – who is currently manager of Qatari side Al Sadd – for five years at the Camp Nou, from 2004-2009.
The pair also played with current club captain Messi, 32, and while Xavi has been linked with the hot-seat at Barca already following the departure of Ernesto Valverde in January, the Spaniard opted against taking the reigns at the time, with Quique Setien instead taking charge.
‘You have to go back to Barcelona while Leo [Messi] is still there, because with him it would all be easier,’ Eto’o told Marca.
‘Xavi is a natural leader who knows how to manage emotions and, what’s more, he’s a very good guy.”
‘He’s up front, he understands football and I insisted to him: “Machine, you have to go back and try to do something with Messi still there!”‘ the Cameroon legend added.
The hierarchy at Barcelona reportedly travelled to Doha for talks with Xavi when a new manager was needed, but with reservations about taking over midway through the season, the 40-year-old stayed put.
That is not to rule out what seems a likely and obvious reunion further down the line, and presidential elections next year could trigger another attempt at luring the former midfielder to Barcelona.
Xavi played with Samuel Eto’o for five years, winning the Champions League in 2009 (pic)
Eto’o believes Xavi, currently managing Qatari side Al Sadd, should take over at Barca soon
Zealadmol.sport.blog. 