ANDRES Iniesta says former team-mate Xavi has everything needed to handle the pressure of becoming Barcelona’s latest manager.
The tiki-taka legends established themselves as one of the greatest midfield pairings of all time in heart of all-conquering Barca and Spain sides, and they remains close friends.
Iniesta, 37, still plays for Japanese side Vissel Kobe but Xavi, 41, hung up his boots in 2019 to start his managerial career and was appointed Barca boss last week.
The Nou Camp’s top job has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent seasons with the LaLiga giants sacking four bosses in the last two years.
But Iniesta has told Mati de Catalunya Radio his old pal has clear advantages over his recent predecessors at the club.
He said: “Xavi has a conciliatory part but also a strong personality that knows how to handle [the pressure].
“He has been captain of Barca, and of the national team.
“He has lived through all kinds of situations and knows how everything works.
“I don’t think he has any problem.”
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Xavi left his successful role as Al-Sadd boss to return to Barca as the replacement for Ronald Koeman, who was sacked after 14 months in charge.
He returns with his old side tackling financial difficulties off the pitch and poor performances on it which have left them ninth in the LaLiga table after 12 games.
But the Catalans have been boosted by the return of Brazilian right-back Danny Alves, 38, who is former team-mate Xavi’s first signing as Barca boss.
Alves, who was a free agent after leaving Sao Paulo in September, made his name alongside Xavi, Iniesta, and now Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi, in a famous Barca side which enjoyed incredible success under Pep Guardiola.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
