Barcelona veteran Xavi told reporters he would be interested to coach the Catalan club after he hangs up hit boots.
The 34-year-old midfielder has spent his entire career at Barca, making 700 appearances and winning 22 trophies.
“I’d love to, yes... but that’s for the future,” Xavi said.
“I’d like to remain in football forever and it would always have to be with Barcelona. That’s where my heart and feelings are.”
No Terry U-turn
John Terry has insisted he has no plans to make himself available for World Cup selection.
Terry ended his England career after 78 caps in acrimony during the Anton Ferdinand affair, which saw him sanctioned by the FA for racially abusing the then-QPR defender.
The 33-year-old’s form this season has led to many commentators to suggest England boss Roy Hodgson should ask Terry to reconsider his position, but the Chelsea skipper is adamant he will not change his mind.
“My days are gone and now it’s for players like Gary (Cahill) to push on for the country,” Terry said.
“I loved playing for England and be captain but things have changed and moved on.”
Mourinho won’t write off Man. City
Jose Mourinho is adamant Manchester City, and not Chelsea, are in pole position to win the Premier League despite guiding his side seven points clear at the summit with a 4-0 defeat of Tottenham.
Rather than having the points in the bag, Mourinho stated his preference for being in Manuel Pellegrini’s position, with a superior goal difference which means City will be champions if they win their final 12 games.
“I would like to be in their position, because if they win their matches they are top of the league,” Mourinho said.
“If we win the next nine matches, we may not be champs. They have their destiny in their hands and we don’t have ours.”
Hodgson keen to see out England deal
England manager Roy Hodgson has urged the FA to allow him to honour his current contract, even if the national team fail to fire at this summer’s World Cup.
The 66-year-old was appointed to the post in May 2012, signing a four-year deal which will see him through to the end of Euro 2016.
There are suggestions a poor showing at the World Cup could see his tenure brought to a premature end, but Hodgson is hoping that will not be the case.
“I signed a four-year deal and I’ve always been working myself towards that four-year contract,” he said.
“I shall be working hard to fulfil the contract and hope that the FA will fulfil their side of it.
“And another one after that? Who knows?”
Van Persie seeking Juventus move
Dutch striker Robin van Persie wants to leave Manchester United and join Juventus next season, reports in the UK papers said yesterday.
The former Arsenal player had been very close to joining Juve two years ago before opting for United in a move that saw Alex Ferguson forking out £24 million to get his player.
Sunday Mirror said Van Persie is so desperate to leave United that he is ready to forfeit a £10 million bonus, promised to him if he honours the final two years of his contract.
Juventus are the absolute favourites should Van Persie leave the English champions, as he confessed that he had been very close to joining them when he left Arsenal in 2012.
Schneider shown door by Stuttgart
Thomas Schneider has been relieved of his duties as Stuttgart coach, with former Schalke and Hamburg boss Huub Stevens taking over the hot seat.
Stevens will begin work today, just a week after he was relieved of his duties as coach of Greek club PAOK Salonika.
Schneider pays the price for a run of nine games without a win, including eight successive defeats up until Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Eintracht Braunschweig.
That run has left the club, who were last demoted to the 2. Bundesliga in 1975, in serious relegation danger.
Sydney player says racially abused
Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas will lodge a complaint with Football Federation Australia (FFA) claiming he was racially abused in Saturday’s derby clash against Western Sydney, the A-League side said yesterday.
“Upon receipt of the formal complaint, FFA will instigate an investigation of the incident.
The resolution process may include mediation or referral to a Disciplinary Tribunal,” the FFA said in a statement, confirming it has received an advice from the club.
Abbas, who converted a penalty to complete a 3-1 win, had to be restrained by team-mates as the Iraq-born player, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, reacted angrily to rival players.