Barcelona's Mascherano wants to be coach after retiring

Spanish football giants FC Barcelona defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he wants to become a coach when he calls time on his playing career.

The Argentina international believes that he is drawn by the challenge of passing on what he has learned throughout his career to younger players and has no intention of leaving football once he hangs up his boots.

"I would become a coach. As a player, things are easier, but it gets more complicated when you go on the other side. I want to pass on everything my coaches taught me. In football, things go full circle," Mascherano was quoted as saying by radio channel Radio Metro on Tuesday.

Mascherano, who began his career as a defensive midfielder, has adapted to play at the centre of defence after being first deployed there by former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

"At that time, many central defenders were injured and Sergio Busquets had emerged in midfield. I came to Barcelona knowing I was signed as a backup and it would be very difficult to hold down a place in midfield. Obviously I would have fought for my place but one of the best in the world was playing in my position," Mascherano said.