"It motivates me a lot to start this new phase of my life" - Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta completes takeover of Danish club
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has become the new co-owner of the Danish club Helsingor. The Spaniard's sports management company, NSN, have expanded their investment portfolio and agreed terms with Swiss investment group Stoneweg to complete the takeover.
Speaking after the takeover's announcement, Iniesta said he was ready for the next phase of his career. He also opened up about how he wanted to help the club grow, saying (via GOAL):
"After playing as a professional, it motivates me a lot to start this new phase of my life, bringing my experience to a club like FC Helsingor, the first project in an exciting alliance between NSN and Stoneweg. It's a fantastic opportunity to get to know football in a different way."
The legendary midfielder announced his retirement from football earlier this year. The former Barcelona superstar released a statement to announce his retirement which read (via GOAL):
"I never thought this day would come, but these are tears of excitement and pride, not of sadness. These are tears of the kid from Fuentealbilla who dreamed of being a footballer, and I did it; we did it. I feel very proud of this journey."
Barcelona legend sets sights on becoming a coach in the future
Andres Iniesta wants to become a coach at Barcelona in the future but is not currently thinking about it. He wants to start training first and learn about the game from the sidelines before taking such a step. He told Mundo Deportivo:
"Right now I'm not even thinking about it. I want to start training and learn everything off the pitch and from there we'll see what happens. Being a Barcelona coach is something big but right now I want to improve and see what happens. Yes, but in the end these are dreams and goals that you set for yourself, and when you focus on that you don't think about fear."
When asked if he wanted to become a coach at Camp Nou, he added:
"You think about wanting to do things well and enjoy them, and then depending on where you are, you will have positive and less positive aspects, always trying to make the work you do good."
Barcelona appointed Xavi, Andres Iniesta's legendary midfield partner, as manager in 2021 but sacked him at the end of the 2023/24 season. The Spaniard had resigned from his role earlier in the season but was pursued to continue by the board.