XAVI has agreed to replace Quique Setien as Barcelona boss, according to reports.
The current Nou Camp chief is under plenty of pressure with both on-field and off-field issues.
Xavi is reportedly set to replace Quique Setien in the Barcelona dugout this summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
And it is thought the legendary midfielder could come in at the end of the season – with Lionel Messi and Co giving the appointment their seal of approval.
According to Mundo Deportivo, a “firm agreement” is in place that would see Barcelona pay Xavi, 40, a tasty £5.4million per year.
The Spanish hero is currently managing in Qatar with Al-Sadd, taking over last summer after ending his playing career with four years at the same side.
But with his contract up in just 12 months and the chance to manage the club he joined aged 11 and played 767 first-team appearances for would surely be appealing for him.
Speaking in March, Xavi admitted he would be keen – although would want no toxicity in the dressing room, which could prove impossible at a club like Barcelona with seemingly so many political issues between players, coaches and the board.
The four-time Champions League winner told La Vanguardia: “I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited.
“Now that I have seen myself coaching I think I can bring things to the players.
“But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from zero and in which the decision-making was mine. I have no problem: I don’t hide, I don’t take it back.
“I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty and who are very valid people. There can’t be anyone toxic around the dressing room.”
Xavi was linked with replacing Ernesto Valverde in January before Barca appointed Setien instead.
However, despite mounting a title challenge, three draws in their last four matches mean Real Madrid look on course to secure LaLiga this season.
And Setien is now fighting for his future, with many expecting him to go at the end of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Messi’s future is up in the air with the Argentina star able to leave for free in 2021 – and may do exactly that.
According to ESPN, Barca’s No10 and father Jorge have ended contract talks having been left furious by a series of rows with the board, and the impossible now looks very much possible.
Video footage from last weekend appeared to show Messi and his team-mates simply ignore Setien’s No2 Eder Sarabia during the drinks break during the 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo – with players reportedly furious Setien took off two-goal Luis Suarez with ten minutes to go.
SunSport weighed up five potential clubs Messi could in theory join should he make the dramatic decision to leave with Manchester City, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newell’s Old Boys and Inter Miami possible destinations.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has urged the six-time Ballon d’Or to stay put at the Nou Camp because he is keen to see the best players in the world competing in Spain’s top flight.
The midfielder joined the club’s academy aged 11 and played more than 750 times for the Nou Camp sideCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi set to quit Barcelona in 2021 when contract ends
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
