Steven Gerrard has praised Barcelona's decision to appoint Xavi as their manager, insisting it's good to have someone with the club's "DNA" leading the side.
Xavi, who won 25 trophies and made more than 750 appearances for Barcelona during his playing days, was appointed the club's boss last November. It was a risky move, as the 42-year-old's managerial CV only contained a spell at Saudi Arabian outfit Al Sadd.
Yet Barcelona's decision has paid off. The team have jumped from ninth to third in La Liga and recorded a famous 4-0 away win against bitter rivals Real Madrid earlier this month. They've also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
"With the appointment of Xavi, I think it was a masterstroke by Barcelona to appoint him," said Gerrard after playing in a legends game at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. "Someone who's got Barcelona in his DNA, who's been a world-class player for many years.
"He obviously knows the style - what all the Barcelona people want to see - and after some challenging times it looks as if they're getting back to where they need to be. And it was obviously a huge result against Real Madrid. As a fan of Barcelona - from a far - it's really good to see them back firing well."
Many are backing Gerrard to coach Liverpool one day after a stellar start to his managerial career, and his comments could one day apply to him, as he is tipped to succeed Jurgen Klopp. The former England captain led Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade last season and was appointed Aston Villa manager last November.
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Since Gerrard arrived in Birmingham, Villa have climbed away from the Premier League relegation zone and made some tremendous signings, luring Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona and Lucas Digne from Everton in his first transfer window.
Klopp's contract at Liverpool expires in 27 months' time and it's unclear whether he will stay at Liverpool. He will be approaching his ninth anniversary at Anfield by that point and has dropped several hints that he is sticking to his plan to walk away from the club when his current deal is up.
Liverpool fans will not want to see the back of Klopp, who's won the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup since his appointment in October 2015. The German is the club's most successful manager since the eighties.
Speaking on his appointment, Gerrard insisted he isn't using Villa as a "stepping stone" for the Liverpool job. "Very unfair," said Gerrard when asked. "You’ll never hear me say it’s a stepping stone. I’m really honoured and proud to be in this position.
"I’m all in and I’ll give this job everything it needs to be a success. I’ll be 100 per cent committed. I don’t think there’s anything wrong in football with having dreams and aspirations. But Liverpool have a world-class coach that they’re very happy with and if he was to sign a lifetime deal I would be very happy for them and him."
On Klopp, Gerrard added: "He’s a great man and a great coach. I think Liverpool are very lucky to have him at the helm and I’m a Liverpool fan so long may that continue."
