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Andres Iniesta reveals he would ‘love’ to return to Barcelona as ‘coach or sporting director’ once he finishes at Vissel Kobe – as 38-year-old agrees to play ‘another year’ in Japan
- Andres Iniesta says he would love to 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
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Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has admitted he would love to return to the club after terminating his contract with Japan’s Vissel Kobe.
The iconic Spanish midfielder has been in Japan for the past four years as he concluded his playing career after switching in 2018 when his last contract with Barcelona expired.
Iniesta and current Barcelona manager Xavi were widely regarded as one of the best midfield combinations in history after winning it all at national and international level with the LaLiga giants and Spain.
Andres Iniesta has said he will play at Vissel Kobe for another year before leaving the club
The Spaniard has revealed he would love to return to his youth and home club Barcelona
The Vissel Kobe midfielder is now reflecting on the next step in his football career, revealing that a move to Barca would be like a homecoming for him, although he has not yet decided what role he would play.
He told Gazetta dello Sport: ‘I’ll stay with Vissel Kobe for another year… and then we’ll see. I would like to return to Barca.
‘It’s my home, but I don’t know yet in what way: coach, team leader or something like that.’
Although Iniesta has hinted at coaching, it would come as a shock if he were to replace Xavi, who is doing well as the club’s manager despite the club’s ongoing financial difficulties.
Xavi (left) and Iniesta (right) played together with Spain and won everything for Barcelona
Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 after making 674 appearances for the Catalan club
Xavi has led the club to the top of the LaLiga rankings 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 piloting them back to the top four.
It was not a perfect period, despite the home defeats of Cadiz, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano and a Champions League exit in the group stage last season.