Xavi talks Erik ten Hag, Guardiola, Arteta, Barcelona job, coaching in England

Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona travel to England to take on Erik ten Hag’s in-form Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. The Catalans could only manage a 2-2 draw at Spotify Camp Nou and thus have everything to fight for later this week.

The Barcelona legend spoke to Times Sport earlier this week where he talked about his team’s upcoming clash and his history in England. Here are the snippets from his interview.

English football and its crowds are nothing new for the Spanish tactician who extensively toured the world during his tenure as one of the best players on the planet. Speaking about his memory of England, he said,

“I have very good memories of the games I played in England, simply because it is so special to play there — it is the cradle of football.

“The stadiums, the fans, who do not stop cheering . . . everything has a very special flavour that is not seen anywhere else in the world. So imagine, it is such a pleasure for me to go back to Old Trafford, one of the best stadiums and biggest teams in the world,” 

Erik ten Hag has, in a very short time, revitalised Manchester United and made them competitive at a global level. Xavi acknowledged the Dutch manager’s achievements and added the facets that made him so successful.

“He is very good, I like him a lot. He has built a team and is getting the best out of all his players. That speaks well of him. Tactically he is very good and he handles the dressing room very well. He is getting all the talent out of his players. You see Sancho, Rashford, the Portuguese guy [Bruno Fernandes]. And look how Fred is playing.”

Barcelona vs Manchester United was always going to be a clash that eliminated one of the tournament favourites. The fact that both teams recovered their best form in recent months only increased the anticipation for the game. Speaking about the tough clash awaiting them at Manchester, Xavi said:

“Difficult? Well, we’ve known that since [the draw was made]. We are a brave team that likes to attack and always win. [This game] will not be an exception.

“It’s like a big Champions League game that, due to circumstances — because we’ve made mistakes and because both teams are ultimately in a building phase — is being played in the Europa League.

“But for the fans, it’s a massively interesting match. And, for the players, one of those matches that everyone wants to play at least once in their life.”

Manchester United are one of the most in-form teams in the world with arguably the most in-form player in their ranks- Marcus Rashford. Yet, Xavi insisted that he and his team were not intimidated by the challenge that awaited them.

“Fear? Fear of what? On the contrary, Old Trafford motivates — it is one of those stadiums where you want to play at least once in your life, where you have to get the best out of yourself.

“We have to be brave, go all out for the game without complexes. It’s like at the Bernabéu, you have to be brave. And to be a great team you have to win at those grounds. And we want to be a great team. That’s how I see it.”

Pep Guardiola the best coach ever, claims Xavi

Xavi then spoke about Pep Guardiola, the man who not only revolutionised Barcelona but changed the way modern football was seen. He admitted that his former manager was his inspiration and detailed what made him special.

“Guardiola is the best coach by far. I played under him and the difference with all the other coaches, and I include myself, is a huge chasm. Pep is a genius in every sense of the word. He’s not human, he’s different, absolutely different, it’s oversize.”

Guardiola has found immense success in England with Manchester City. Though his new team have struggled in the UCL, they have dominated the Premier League in recent years and established themselves as one of the best in the business. Speaking about Guardiola’s success in England, Xavi said:

“I’ve had him as a team-mate and as a coach, and I’m not surprised by anything he has achieved in England, because I knew he would make it. I would be playing and would think: we should be doing this because they are moving like this for that, and we would go down to the changing room and Pep would say exactly what I had been thinking.

“It was also fantastic how he prepared for matches. What he told you would happen, always happened. I have learnt a lot from him.”

Not only Guardiola but even his disciples have left a mark on English football. Mikel Arteta is the best example of such a case, and Xavi did not hold back in praising the Arsenal manager, a former teammate of his at Barcelona.

“No, he’s not surprised me because he had the best references [having worked alongside Guardiola at City] and because if you have played as a central midfielder at Barça you already have a headstart — you have the map of your pitch in your head. I had a feeling that Arteta would do very well, but it was just a feeling.”

With the interview deeply rooted in the Premier League aspect, the Barcelona manager was asked if he ever considered a stint in England in the future. Xavi was, however, quick to shut down those possibilities and insisted that he was focused on Barcelona.

“No way, it’s not something I even think about. At this stage? I’ve only just started at Barça! I have the feeling that the Barça opportunity has come to me very soon. The truth is, I wasn’t expecting it. But it was the second or third time that my lifelong club came looking for me and I couldn’t say no.

“So at the moment, I think that when this is over I’ll take some time to rest. I am really happy and comfortable working with very good players, who really want to do things.

The interview ended with the Barcelona legend giving his two cents on the pressure that accompanied the managerial post at the club. He admitted that the pressure was unimaginable, and said:

“But the pressure here is enormous, brutal, everything is questioned. This is not like England. In Barcelona there are 30 radio programmes that talk about Barça, sports newspapers . . . to be honest, I haven’t even considered coaching in England, it’s a faraway idea for me.”