XAVI has been getting it in the neck from his wife for the amount of football he’s been watching during his unemployment.
The legendary Spanish midfielder has been spending more time with his other half since his reign as Barcelona manager came to an end last May.
His Nou Camp axing, however, hasn’t dampened his passion for the game, which he still watches daily.
But wife, Nuria Cunillera, is getting annoyed with the number of games he’s watching and vented her frustrations during United’s epic Europa League quarter-final second-leg comeback against Lyon last month.
The 45-year-old said of his unemployment in an interview with The Athletic: “I still love football, it’s my passion. I’m watching it 24 HOURS [a day].
“My wife complains to me: ‘Again!’ she says. ‘Yes but it’s the Europa League,’ I reply. Did you see the game between Man United and Lyon?
“It was 4-2 to Lyon. I was thinking, ‘Oh no. Very difficult now for Amorim!’ And then, 10 minutes later, it was incredible.”
“The maximum number of games I’ve watched in one day was EIGHT. I like to analyse teams.
“I might put into my computer ‘Atalanta’ and then watch them four games in a row. Why?
“Because I might be interested to see what [Gian Piero] Gasperini is doing.
“Man to man, 90-minute duels for every player, that’s why they sign strong, physical players. Or (Roberto) De Zerbi at Marseille.
“Or Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest. I love to see the different styles of football and what coaches are doing.”
Xavi was replaced at the Nou Camp helm by Hansi Flick, who this season guided the Catalan club to the Champions League semi-finals.
And despite the brutal nature of his axing, his family still very much loves the club.
He said: “My children love the team; my son adores Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
“While my daughter follows Raphinha and [Robert] Lewandowski, we live the atmosphere of Barcelona in all its details.
“We watch the first team and the women’s team matches; people think I am sad after my departure.
“But I am proud of what Flick is doing and happy with the team’s level.”
Read the full article here