“Why not?” – Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez talks about Pep Guardiola’s next job after leaving Man City
Xavi Hernandez has shared what he thinks Pep Guardiola’s next coaching job will be, after Pep ended his amazing time at Manchester City.
Guardiola said goodbye last weekend at the Etihad Stadium, after officially announcing he was leaving the club. Over his 10 years as City’s boss, he won a total of 20 trophies, finishing strong with wins in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this last season.
But Pep feels it’s the right time to step down, even though he still had a year left on his contract. Enzo Maresca is ready to take over from his mentor. Pep will now take a break and spend time with his family, just like he did when he left Barcelona in 2012, while also starting a new role as a global ambassador for the City Football Group.
Although he’s resting now, people are already guessing where he might coach next. Xavi, who used to be Pep’s captain, thinks the next natural step for him is to manage a national team, after all his success with clubs.
Xavi said, “If he’s not the best, he’s definitely one of the best. He’s so focused on tactics and I learned a lot from him and his team.” He also praised Pep’s amazing way of communicating with players and said, “He’s a legend as a coach.”
When asked about Pep’s next job, Xavi said, “He’s a genius, so you never really know what’s on his mind. But if I had to guess, I think he’s waiting to manage a national team. He’s done everything with clubs, so a national team would be a new challenge.”
Xavi was asked if Pep might lead Spain or England’s team, and he replied, “Why not? Spain is tough, but maybe England.”
Xavi was part of Pep’s incredible Barcelona team, playing alongside Iniesta and Busquets, one of the best midfield groups ever. But he also praised PSG’s current midfield trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz, who recently won the Champions League under coach Luis Enrique.
Talking about them, Xavi said, “I’m in love with Vitinha. He controls the game, sets the pace, works hard, and rarely loses the ball. Joao Neves works hard for the team, gets forward, and can score goals. Fabian is a complete midfielder, both technically and physically. For me, they are one of the best midfield trios in the world.”