MANCHESTER UNITED have contacted former Barcelona boss Xavi over potentially replacing Erik ten Hag, according to reports.
The 44-year-old has been out of work since leaving Barca at the end of last season.
Ten Hag, 54, has come under intense scrutiny so far this season.
Following the Red Devils’ 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham last month, the Dutchman’s United future appeared to be in severe doubt.
They have since drawn away matches at Porto and Aston Villa, before coming from behind to beat Brentford at Old Trafford last Saturday.
According to the Mail, United chiefs have identified Xavi as a possible Ten Hag replacement.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
They claim that contact has twice been made between United and Xavi via intermediaries in recent months.
Man Utd CEO Omar Berrada jetted out to Barcelona last Thursday for meetings as part of a four-man delegation.
Figures within United claim that several meetings have taken place in the Catalan city recently due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos taking part in sailings America’s Cup there.
Xavi began his managerial career with Qatari side Al-Sadd in 2019.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
After winning a league title and six domestic trophies, the former midfielder was appointed Barca boss in 2021.
Amid financial turmoil off the pitch, Xavi guided the Blaugrana to a LaLiga title during the 2022-23 season, also winning the Spanish Supercup in 2023.
Following a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in January, Xavi announced that he would be stepping down as boss at the end of the season.
In April he had a change of heart, however, saying he would fulfil his contract, which had been set to run until 2025.
But the following month, the club legend was sacked by club president Joan Laporta.
Prior to Xavi, Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate had been linked with the Man Utd job.
Both have subsequently been ruled out of contention, however, with Tuchel accepting the England job and Southgate vowing that he won’t coach for 12 months.
In addition to Xavi, United are claimed to be interested in former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and current Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.
The latter, however, is also being strongly linked with Manchester City, should Pep Guardiola leave the Etihad at the end of the season.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
