Josep Maria Bartomeu has spoken about the chances of Xavi Hernandez taking over as Barcelona manager. The Barça president has spoken exclusively to SPORT's Albert Masnou about the past few days at the club, which saw a move for Xavi to replace Ernesto Valverde but ended up with Quique Setien taking over.

Barça held a meeting with Xavi over the weekend in an attempt to get the Al Sadd manager to return from Qatar and take over at Camp Nou. After everything that's happened, is the door still open to the ex-midfielder? Or has it closed?

"The door is open to many coaches, but now we have a manager, Quique Setien," said Bartomeu. "He's signed for two-and-a-half-years and I've explained the break clause in 2021 due to elections. If a new president wants to change the manager, they can.

"But, clearly, Xavi will be the coach of Barça one day, I have no doubt. He is very capable, he's a person that perfectly understands our football, he's hugely keen to do it and one day he will. But now it's Quique Setien and I think and I hope it goes really well because he's arrived full of motivation and he's said he will follow our philosophy and style of play.

"There will be variations, of course, he will have his nuances, but I think with the players and talent we have, plus Quique Setien, it will go really well.

"However, I also want to say that Ernesto Valverde's done a magnificent job. We're grateful for the success and the trophies, his way of being, his talent, his professionalism and above all his intelligence. He's left many good things at the club but it was the moment to give a new impulse to the team."