Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said on Friday he has no doubt that Xavi would be a good manager if given a job at former Barcelona club following the departure of Dutchman Ronald Koeman earlier this week.
Barca sacked Koman after a loss to Rio Vallecano on Wednesday and have since appointed ‘B’ team coach Sergi Barjuan as interim manager.
However, Xavi, who has enjoyed a hugely successful 17-year career at the club and is currently the head coach of Qatari side Al Saad, is being tipped to take over on a permanent basis.
Guardiola, who managed the Catalan side between 2008 and 2012 and won a club-record 14 trophies, said: “I don’t know what will happen. I’m pretty sure it will happen sooner or later… if it happens… I have no doubt that he is ready to work.
“He knows the environment which is very important in this role. He knows the game, he has passion. He has more experience than I have now after taking over from the ‘B’ team in Barcelona.
“Komen knows and Sergi knows and Xavi knows and I know, success depends on quality and commitment and players. People still forget, we are responsible for everything, but our influence is more than that of people. It is very little.”
Guardiola will lead City for the 200th time in the Premier League when the champions face Crystal Palace after being knocked out by West Ham United in the League Cup in midweek on Saturday.
The coach said he was proud of what he has achieved – three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups – but was unsure whether he would be around for another 200 games.
Guardiola said, “No, I don’t think so… I’m incredibly happy, we’ve seen the team grow and develop and that’s the best sign that you’re doing well… (in) 200 games.” , (i) could not be more satisfied.”
The Spaniard, who came up against Patrick Vieira in the opposition dugout on Saturday, heaped praise on the Palace boss, who previously coached City’s reserve team.
“It’s a privilege and an honour, we were together in Manchester for a short time. Now that dynamic is changing, the way Palace plays, a lot of things are changing. They’ve always had good players,” Guardiola said.
City are third in the league standings with 20 points from nine matches. Palace in 15th place is 11 points behind.
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