Pep Guardiola knew that Xavi was destined to become Barcelona boss as he tipped the Spaniard to take the job back in 2019.

The Catalan club legend is widely expected to be appointed as Barca’s new head coach after the sacking of Ronald Koeman following their 1-0 defeat to Ray Vallecano.

Xavi has been linked with the role ever since he went into management with Al Sadd in Qatar, but it seems the two are about to finally reunite.

And it’s come as no surprise to his former boss Guardiola who predicted that he would be in charge of one of the La Liga side one day.

Will Xavi be a success at Barcelona?

He said: Xavi was already a manager when he played. His eyes sparkled watching football.

“He will be a manager for sure. Sooner or later, he will manage Barcelona.”

Guardiola was asked about Xavi’s potential arrival at Barcelona and has tipped the 41-year-old to be a huge success.

He also sympathised with Koeman who has been in charge of the club at a difficult time following Lionel Messi’s shock move to Paris-Saint Germain.

He added: “Xavi, if it happens, I don’t have any doubts he’s ready to do the job. He knows the environment which is so important.

“He knows the game, he has passion. He has more experience now than I had when I took over.

“Koeman knows and Sergi knows and Xavi and I know, the success depends on the recruitment and the players.

“People forget – we are responsible but our influence is more minimal than people believe. The success I had was because of the quality of the players.

“Xavi of course is really good, If Xavi is the next manager I wish him all the best and hopefully step by step the team can come back.

“Ronald and myself know exactly that we depend and live and expect and we are there for the results. Nobody can survive without results, no Koeman, no Pep.

“He’s a friend of mine, I wish him the best and will see him soon and I’m sure he did good things for the young players in the academy. Everybody knows it, doesn’t matter what you do it depends on the job.”

Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla, who plays for Al Sadd, also reckons Xavi is exactly the type of manager Barcelona need to bring back their free-flowing style of football.

He told El Larguero: ‘Of course, Xavi is prepared to coach Barca.

“Some people know the club well and know what he wants.

“He has a clear idea of football. He wants the ball and to be the protagonists. He is going to do it in any team in the world that he trains.’

“It’s what Barca need, to return to their style.

“Xavi likes a lot of possession. He alternates between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3. Xavi always wants more and more possession.

“Without the ball, we squeeze a lot in the block. He has an idea from the good years at Barca, when they pressed very high.