Barcelona’s ex player, Xavi has admitted he rejected an offer from the club to succeed Ernesto Valverde as head coach prior to the Spanish champions appointing Quique Setien, stating that it was “too soon” for him to accept his dream job.
Valverde was sacked in the wake of the 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the inaugural expanded Supercopa de Espana, with the writing having been considered to be on the wall for the coach for some time.
Xavi was on a shortlist of candidates put forward to the Barca board before former Real Betis boss Setien was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the former midfielder looking the most likely to be handed the job at one point.
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