Barcelona legend Xavi has spoken of his time working with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho kicked off his coaching career at Barca.

Xavi, now with Al Sadd, told ESPN: "He was excellent in his three years at Barca. They said he was a translator. Rubbish.

"He was the assistant coach, someone who understood the philosophy of Barca and who shared many of the same characteristics of Van Gaal.

"He was very respected by the players. He trained us sometimes alone at Barca B and he was excellent.

"I'm surprised that he became known for another type of football, more defensive, because he wasn't like that with us."