Xavi announces retirement and sets out plan to become manager
The Barcelona and Spain legend says he is hanging up his boots at the end of the season and is excited to see what the future holds for him in management.
Xavi Hernández announced his retirement from football in an article sent from Doha to the press and in it he outlined his plans to become a manager. "This is my last season as a player, but I am looking forward to see what the future holds for me as a manager," he said.
Having won the Qatar league this year, Xavi leaves on a high and he is hoping to bring his years of experience to the touchline soon too. "My philosophy as a manager reflects the style that we developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and from La Masia and it's main exponent is in the way Barcelona play. I love the see the teams that take the initiative on the field, attacking football and go back to that place we all loved since the days of our youth: possession football."
In the letter he sent to the press he said, "Football is a great tool to unite people and change lives for the better." He says he is keen to finish at the top in Qatar and wants to win the Amir Cup and continue in the Asian Champions League.
Xavi is 39 and played 769 times for Barcelona before moving to Qatar in 2015. He has won eight LaLiga titles, three Copa del Reys and four Champions League along with a host of other trophies and individual awards. He is also a World Cup winner and a two-time European Cup winner with Spain.