Xavi on advice to Barcelona successor – ‘I’d say enjoy it, but it’s impossible’

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has called for unity following his announcement that he will no longer be at the club next season, but painted a concerning picture for the future. His view was that there was little chance of his successor surviving any length of time in the job.

On Saturday Xavi had told the press that the job was ‘cruel’ and ‘unpleasant’, citing the pressure and the constant criticism. He said it was having a negative impact on his health. In the prior press conference, he had commented that Barcelona’s big problem was that it did not value the work of its players and managers, giving Ernesto Valverde, Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola as examples.

Asked what advice he would give to the next person in the job, Xavi’s response did make it sound like an appealing job. The question was what could his successor do to avoid what has happened to him, Valverde, Luis Enrique and Guardiola.

“It’s going to happen to them, this is the problem. My advice is for him to be natural and not let himself be influenced, I almost managed it. My dream was to coach Barcelona and win and it has been achieved. I have a clear conscience that I have done the best for the club. I’m proud of the work, and I’ve been a man of the club, I always will be.”

“My advice would be to enjoy it, but it’s impossible.”