Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has been appointed by a surprising Premier League club. After stepping down from his role at Barcelona at the season’s end, Xavi is considering a shift to the Premier League for his next coaching opportunity. Having managed Barcelona for three seasons, winning a La Liga title and a Supercopa de España, the 44-year-old is contemplating taking a break to recover from the demands of coaching at Camp Nou. However, he is interested in pursuing an “exciting project” in the Premier League.
One possibility is Manchester United, where the future of current manager Erik ten Hag is uncertain. According to *The Times*, a decision about Ten Hag’s position could come soon as the club evaluates his status. Xavi’s availability has garnered interest, but it remains unclear if United would consider him as a replacement for Ten Hag.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel, another contender for the United role, seems to be out of contention. Reports indicate he recently met with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to present his vision for the club, aiming to enhance the performances of players like Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho. However, Tuchel left the meeting believing the position wouldn’t be his if Ten Hag were dismissed.
Erik ten Hag, who just returned from a break, is focused on the project he’s building at United. Following their FA Cup final win over Manchester City, he reiterated his commitment to the club’s future and the progress being made. “I don’t think about this,” Ten Hag stated. “I am now working on a project, and we are exactly where we want to be.”
He added, “We’re building a team… When I started at Manchester United, things were in disarray. We’re on our way to creating a future-oriented team. There will be challenges, but the team is improving and winning, and ultimately, it’s about the trophies.”
Ten Hag also acknowledged that while the team is advancing, he isn’t completely satisfied. “Two trophies in two years is decent. Three finals are good, but we must keep progressing. I’m not content with it. We need to perform better, and if they no longer want me, I’ll find another place to win trophies, which has been my career path.”
As Manchester United considers its next moves, Xavi’s potential Premier League venture could add further complexity to the situation. The next few weeks may clarify whether Xavi or any other managerial changes are forthcoming at Old Trafford.