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Barcelona Legend Open to Coaching Rival La Liga Clubs
Former Barcelona manager and club icon Xavi Hernandez has revealed that he is open to managing another club in La Liga, despite his deep-rooted ties to the Catalan giants. After being sacked by Barcelona in 2024, the World Cup-winning midfielder is now actively looking for a new challenge in football management.
Xavi’s comments have sparked intrigue among fans, especially as he previously suggested that Barcelona was the only club he would coach in Spain. However, in a recent interview with France Football (via AS), the 44-year-old tactician made it clear that he is open to all opportunities.
Xavi’s Time at Barcelona – A Rollercoaster Journey
Taking over a struggling Barcelona side in November 2021, Xavi guided the club to a La Liga title in the 2022/23 season. However, despite early success, tensions behind the scenes led to a fractured relationship with the board.
The Spanish legend initially offered to step down at the end of the 2023/24 season, but after being convinced to stay, he was shockingly replaced by Hansi Flick just weeks later. Reflecting on his time at the club, Xavi admitted:
“Barcelona is much more than football, it is almost a religion.”
Yet, despite his emotional connection, he remains determined to return to coaching, even if it means managing one of Barcelona’s biggest rivals.
Xavi’s Next Move – Open to Club and International Management
When asked about his next step, Xavi made it clear that he is looking for an ambitious project:
“I don’t have anything predetermined, I’m open. Why not coach another team in La Liga? I have the ambition to win trophies. This is the main objective. I will be listening to different offers.”
Beyond club football, the former Spain international also hinted at the possibility of taking charge of a national team:
“I want my players to have fun, develop football that is attractive to the fans, and win titles. I want to win the Champions League, the European Championship, the World Cup.”
Why Did Xavi’s Barcelona Tenure Decline?
Although Xavi’s first full season in charge was a major success, Barcelona struggled in the 2023/24 campaign, finishing 10 points behind Real Madrid. The club legend pointed to internal changes behind the scenes as a key reason for the decline:
“My first year and a half at Barca was very, very good. We had a great project with Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff. Their departure was a hard blow.”
Under new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona has bounced back, playing an exciting brand of attacking football, and are currently competing for multiple trophies.
Where Will Xavi Go Next?
With Xavi open to new opportunities, speculation will now grow over his next destination. Could he return to La Liga with a rival club, or is an international management role in his future?
What do you think? Would Xavi succeed at a club outside of Barcelona, or is he best suited for a national team role? Share your thoughts in the comments!
