'It's my primary goal' - Xavi reiterates his desire to manage Barcelona

Former Barca star says he does not want to destabilise the current setup under Quique Setien

Former Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez says he wants to manage the Spanish club. EPA

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez says his "primary goal" remains to coach the Spanish giants, but is focused on his current job of managing Qatari club Al-Sadd.

"I do not hide, and I have always said, that my primary goal, when it happens, is Barca. It's my home and would be a dream," Xavi told Marca, adding he was "fine" after testing positive for coronavirus.

"But now I am focused on Al-Sadd, excited about the new season. When Barca comes, in the short or long term, it will come," Xavi said while emphasising he does not want to destabilise the current management under Quique Setien.

"Above all, we have to respect Quique Setien and I wish the team all the best," he said. "Sometimes Barca plays very well, sometimes well, and sometimes not so well. But I like Setien's idea, now and with his previous teams: to dominate and to make a beautiful game."

Xavi's name has come up repeatedly as a replacement for Setien, but club president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists he is sticking with his current manager.

"I have an excellent relationship with Xavi and we talked about many issues. But next year Quique Setien has a contract and he is the one we hired," Bartomeu told Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo on Sunday.

Xavi has been quarantined after revealing he has contracted Covid-19.

"I feel good, although isolated, logically. And I'm looking forward to training soon," he said.

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