Manchester United are reportedly in discussions with former Barcelona player and coach Xavi Hernández, as speculation mounts over Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford, Soccernet.football reports.
The United boss has come under increasing scrutiny, despite a 2-1 victory over Brentford last weekend, which lifted the club to 12th place in the Premier League after eight matches.
Although the win provided some relief, the Red Devils’ negative goal difference and a six-point gap to the top four suggest all is not well at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag reportedly survived a potential managerial change over the summer, with the Ineos ownership group unable to find a suitable successor at the time.
Rumours continue to circulate about potential replacements for the Dutchman. Managers like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe have been linked with the job in recent weeks, while Thomas Tuchel’s decision to accept the England manager’s role has taken him off the table as a potential candidate.
According to The DailyMail, Xavi has emerged as a serious contender for the United role, with discussions reportedly held between the club and the former Barcelona icon through intermediaries.
Xavi, who guided Barcelona to a La Liga title during his three-year tenure at the Camp Nou, was reportedly considered by United last summer but remained unavailable. With his future now open, United may revisit the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford if Ten Hag is let go.
Xavi’s managerial career began in Qatar, where he impressed with Al-Sadd, before returning to Barcelona in 2021. His time at Barça saw him lift the La Liga trophy in 2023, although his side was knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United during that campaign.
Xavi is reportedly firm on his decision not to coach in Spain again due to his strong ties to Barcelona, making the prospect of a move to Manchester all the more intriguing.
While no official statements have been made, the possibility of a high-profile managerial switch continues to loom over Old Trafford.