"I've thought long and hard about the possibilities on offer to me, but I've decided it's time to leave football and concentrate on my family," said the 33-year-old.

Sergi played 12 seasons in the Spanish top flight, the majority of which were with league giants Barcelona,

A former regular with the Spanish national side in the 1990's, Sergi won 56 caps. In his nine seasons with Barcelona he won three league titles (1994, 1998, 1999), two Spanish Cups (1997, 1998) and a European Cup winners Cup (1997).

His love for the Catalan club appears not to have waned - and he evoked the hope of re-joining Barcelona as part of their coaching staff if the offer was made.