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Patrick Kluivert hopes to manage Barcelona in the future

Former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert says he would like to be the Catalan club's coach one day.

Kluivert played at the Camp Nou for six seasons, scoring 120 goals in 255 appearances in all competitions, and winning the 1998-99 La Liga title.

He also played for Ajax, Milan, Newcastle, Valencia, PSV Eindhoven and Lille during a long and successful playing career.

The Amsterdam native was assistant to Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup, and more recently had a spell in charge of Caribbean island side Curacao in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The 39-year-old told Radio 4G show "A la Contra" that he could see himself as Barca coach in the future, but would prefer to start out and gain experience at a smaller club.

"You never know, but I want to begin at another team," Kluivert said. "I hope that in the future I could coach Barcelona, because it is the best club in the world. I would like to coach in Spain, but to begin at a different club."

In-form Barca could go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and win Saturday's La Liga Clasico, Kluivert said.

"It is a special game," he said. "In these moments, Barca have a little advantage, but it is being played at the Bernabeu. Although in the past we have shown we can win there."

Kluivert said it was possible that Neymar, who has stepped up so impressively during Lionel Messi's recent injury absence, could go on to match the Argentine's consistent high level of performance.

"It is not impossible for him to reach being the best in the world," he said. "He has played very well, and I believe he could reach Messi's level, but the Argentine has shown such a high standard through the years."