TEHERAN • Xavi Hernandez hopes to one day become the coach of Spanish champions Barcelona, the club where he spent 17 years of his 21-year senior career.
But for now, the 39-year-old, who officially hung up his boots on Monday, indicated that he will stay in Qatar to begin his coaching career.
He is likely to remain in a highly paid role with his club Al Sadd, rather than return to Spain.
"The idea is to start as a coach in Qatar, where there is less pressure, to test myself and get some experience," he told Spain's Efe agency in Teheran just hours before Al Sadd faced Iranian side Persepolis in their last group match of the AFC Champions League on Monday.
"I eventually want to return to Europe and hopefully Barcelona but I'm excited to start as a coach, although I'm not ready yet for the top level. I need to walk before I can run but obviously my ultimate goal is to end up becoming Barcelona coach.
"Football can be played in many different ways but I've always been a huge fan of Barcelona's approach.
"The way in which they control the game and keep the ball is the style I've grown up with and it is the style I'll use when I'm a coach."
Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira predicted that Xavi will become a great manager in future, adding it was beautiful to work with "one of the best players in the world".
Xavi helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and also four Champions League and eight LaLiga titles with Barcelona. But he ended his career on a low key when Al Sadd were beaten 2-0 by Persepolis.
Several home fans brandished banners reading "Adios Xavi" to show their appreciation of the player who with Andres Iniesta formed the backbone of one of Barcelona's greatest ever sides.
Xavi was also honoured by the Persepolis management who presented him with a jersey featuring the No. 6 he has worn in his career.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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The new era will require a deep understanding of learning. No one in the organization is better poised than L&D to deliver. The race will soon be on. L&D can (and should) seize this opportunity to become central to organizational success. There is no room for complacency in L&D.
COMPLACENCY | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary
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A solid win for the Blues. Emerson - 6.5: Decent game, but had a hard time against Ryan Sessegnon. Ranieri's exit was the last nail in the coffin for Fulham.
"Di Francesco will remain the coach who took Roma to the Champions League semi-finals after who knows how many years and he deserves credit for that. I know this isn't our best season and the job of a coach will always be tied to results." Former Roma midfielder Di Francsco helped the team to their last Serie A title as a player in 2001.
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