Xavi keen to manage Barcelona but wary of 'toxic' dressing room

Xavi is thrilled at the prospect of managing Barcelona in the near future and has even provided the names of potential transfer targets, but he'd want evidence of a good team spirit before taking the role.

"I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty, and who are very valid people. There can't be anyone toxic around the dressing room," the former midfielder told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, according to PA Media.

The 40-year-old - who is currently overseeing Qatari club Al Sadd, where he finished his playing career - was approached by Barcelona to succeed former manager Ernesto Valverde in January. Xavi turned down the offer, saying it was "too early" in his coaching career to accept the challenge. He also voiced support for the man who took the job, Quique Setien.

But now, Xavi is ready for the Barca post after just 10 months in management.

"I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited," Xavi said. "Now that I have seen myself coaching, I think I can bring things to the players. But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from zero and in which the decision-making was mine."

Meanwhile, there seems to be a chasm between the first-team setup and the boardroom at Barcelona. Lionel Messi criticized sporting director and former teammate Eric Abidal in February after Abidal blamed the players' work rate and attitude for Valverde's dismissal. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is another controversial figure, with Barcelona allegedly hiring a PR firm to criticize the players and boost Bartomeu's image ahead of next year's elections for the club presidency.

Despite his reservations over the squad harmony at the Camp Nou, Xavi insisted he wouldn't make many changes to the playing personnel.

"I don't know if Neymar would fit in due to the social issue, but in football terms, I have no doubts it would be a spectacular signing," he offered. "They don't need many new players - maybe Jadon Sancho (or) Serge Gnabry."