Steven Gerrard has hailed Barcelona's decision to appoint Xavi as their new head coach back in November as a 'masterstroke'.
The La Liga giants were on a dismal run of form prior to the arrival of their club legend, having won just four of their opening 13 league matches and lacking any kind of identity on the pitch.
Barcelona have since experienced a dramatic turnaround during Xavi's reign and have now lost just one of their previous 16 top-flight encounters as well as being firm favourites to win the Europa League.
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A major turning point in the season occurred only one week ago as La Blaugrana achieved a 4-0 away win over bitter-rivals Real Madrid, sending out a major statement of intent of the side's potential with their current familiar face at the helm.
Barcelona's recent revival has left an impression Gerrard, among many others, who are pleased to see the Spanish giants looking back to their best after a challenging couple of years as a club.
"I think the appointment of Xavi was a masterstroke by Barcelona. It's someone who has got Barcelona in his DNA, has been a world-class player for many years, he knows the style and what all the Barcelona people want to see. After some challenging times, it looks as if they're getting back to where they need to be," he told Barca TV.
"It was a huge result against Real Madrid. As a fan of Barcelona from afar, it is really good to see them back firing well. In my coach, in my position, you're always trying to learn off everyone you can. There is a lot of media around Xavi because he was a world-class player."
Comparisons can of course be made between Gerrard and Xavi, two former elite midfielders who are now making a name for themselves as coaches. The latter has returned to his boyhood club as the man in charge and although the same is yet to happen in the case of the Liverpool legend, he is aware of being on a 'similar journey' to the Barcelona boss.
"He is someone I have the utmost respect for as a player and I'm obviously watching him as a coach as well," said Gerrard of Xavi. "He is on a similar journey to myself: very young, very new and I'm sure he is learning a lot every day like me. I would like to give him a personal good luck message, I hope he makes it a big success and I would love to see him at Barcelona for many years."
