LIONEL MESSI has been tipped to replace Xavi as the new manager of Barcelona.
Club legend Xavi will step down as manager at the end of the season after winning the La Liga title last term.
He confirmed his exit during a fiery press conference following Saturday’s 5-3 home loss to Villarreal.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has now called for Barcelona to hire Messi as his replacement.
He told talkSPORT: “I’d give it to Messi. The fans are on board straight away.
“Everything he touches turns to gold. He was put on this earth to do amazing things. It’s not going to stop in management.”
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During 21 years with the club as a player, Messi scored 672 goals and won 35 major trophies.
However, he has previously admitted he has no intention of going into management after retiring and instead hinted at becoming a sporting director instead.
Speaking to Star+ last year, the 36-year-old explained: “I don’t really intend to be a coach, but [former Real Madrid coach Zinedine] Zidane said exactly that and after that, he became a coach and won the Champions League three times.
“I like sporting director, team building, and accompanying coaches but I’m not entirely sure either.”
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Messi is currently gearing up for his first full season with Inter Miami, where he is contracted until the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the fallout from Xavi’s bombshell announcement continues at Barcelona.
After the loss to Villarreal, which leaves his side fourth in the table, he told reporters: “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.
“As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”
The former midfielder had fallen under mounting pressure after falling 11 points behind La Liga leaders Girona and exiting the Copa del Rey.
He added: “I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public.
“I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”
Xavi also referenced Sir Alex Ferguson’s 27-year tenure at Manchester United during his heated press conference.
The Spaniard continued: “You asked me many times if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça… the truth is that it will never happen here.
“You guys won’t allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult. You see how they kill you, they criticise you, it affects you. It’s a cruel job, it wears you down.
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“In Barcelona you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works. From a mental health level, it’s tough too.
“I’m a positive guy but the battery levels keep running out — and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
