Andres Iniesta reveals he would ‘love’ to return to Barcelona as a ‘coach or sporting director’ once he finishes at Vissel Kobe – as the 38-year-old agrees to play for ‘one more year’ in Japan
- Andres Iniesta says he would love a return to Barcelona after leaving Japan
- The iconic midfielder will play one more season in Japan with Vissel Kobe
- Iniesta does not yet know in what capacity he would return to Barcelona
Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has admitted that he would ‘love’ a return to the club after finishing his contract with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
The iconic Spanish midfielder has been in Japan for the last four years as he winds down his playing career after making the move in 2018 as his last Barcelona contract ended.
Iniesta and current Barcelona manager Xavi were widely considered as one of the best midfield pairings in history after they won everything at domestic and international levels with the LaLiga giants and Spain.
Andres Iniesta has said he will play one more year with Vissel Kobe before leaving the club
The Spaniard has revealed that he would love a return to boyhood and home club Barcelona
The Vissel Kobe midfielder is now thinking about the next step in his football career and revealed that a move to Barca would be like a homecoming for him, although his mind is not made up on what role he would take.
He told Gazetta dello Sport: ‘I’ll continue at Vissel Kobe for another year… and then we’ll see. I would love to return to Barca.
‘It’s my home, but I still don’t know in what way: coach, sports director or something like that.’
While Iniesta has hinted at coaching, it would be a shock if he were to replace Xavi, who is doing well as manager of the club despite the ongoing financial issues at the club.
Xavi (left) and Iniesta (right) played together with Spain and for Barcelona winning everything
Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 after making 674 appearances for the Catalonian club
Xavi has led the club to the top of the LaLiga table after eight games this season, although Real Madrid are only second on goal difference.
He replaced Dutchman and former Everton manager Ronald Koeman last year and helped the club qualify for the Champions League by guiding them back into the top four.
It has not been a perfect stint, though as home defeats to Cadiz, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano and a Champions League exit in the group stages last season.
