Barcelona coach Xavi has said he turned down a job offer to join the Brazil staff because he wanted to wait for the opportunity to take charge of the team from Camp Nou.
The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) approached the former midfielder in 2021 with an offer to join coach Tite’s staff, but Xavi wanted a coaching role and decided to wait his turn at Barcelona.
“It was a completely unexpected opportunity. I spoke with them through my agent, I had the opportunity to join Tite’s staff and work with them, but I wanted to be the head coach, I was waiting for my opportunity to be at Barcelona”, said Xavi first.
“I’m where I want to be, in my opinion at the best club in the world, and that’s in my heart. I’m there enjoying myself and trying to turn the situation around in Barcelona, but I had a chance and talked to them. It was unexpected, historic I would say, but I rejected it because I wanted to be a coach”, concluded the Spaniard.
Xavi ended up taking over as Barca manager in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman after a disappointing start to the season. He led the Blaugrana to second place in La Liga.
His side have made a strong start to the season as they top the table, but they were knocked out of the Champions League group stages.
After the World Cup, Xavi’s boys will return to home action with a match against Espanyol on December 31.