Xavi: "I don't believe now is the right moment to return to Barça"

One thing that has become abundantly clear over the last year is that Xavi Hernandez is in no rush to manage FC Barcelona. In an interview he gave to 'El Pais', he reiterated that desire to coach his 'dream team' one day but that it wouldn't be happening this summer.

"I don't believe now is the right moment to return. There's a lot of noise outside of the club, non-sporting issues.. I don't think now is the time. I told them that in January and they haven't contacted me since. As a culé, I wish them the best. I have a lot of respect for Quique Setien and he loves to play football the way Barça need to. It's 'cruyffismo'. Another factor is whether the results come with that," added Xavi.

On his future objectives, Xavi admits that he would like to manage Barça at some point in his career. "I'm excited to keep gaining experience, new challenges and, of course, it would be a privilege to coach Barça one day with the right team, like Jordi Cruyff, Carles Puyol and some of the current players. I'd like to have a group of people who are well known at the club, people I trust and have the same values."

On Messi, as Barça prepare for Bayern in the Champions League, Xavi said: "He needs Barça and Barça need him. He needs to be happy because a happy Messi wins even more titles. I still have a great friendship with him and respect him a lot. He's a competitive animal, always wanting to win and for the last 10 years he's been the best player in the world. I'd love for us to meet again on a professional level. To have the greatest player of all-time in your team is like having an ace up your sleeve to win."