BARCELONA chiefs have reportedly met with Xavi to sound him about becoming their next boss.
Edu Pol claims director Eric Abidal has travelled to Doha in Qatar to catch up with Ousmane Dembele as he recovers from a thigh injury suffered in November.
Barcelona have sounded out Xavi about becoming their new managerCredit: AFP
As it so happens, Barcelona legend Xavi, 39, is the current manager of Qatari giants Al Sadd, having moved into the dug-out last summer after four years there as a player.
It’s reckoned he has been earmarked by Barcelona as a future boss, with Man City’s Raheem Sterling already named as one of his first targets.
That’s despite Xavi failing to convince the Qataris of his managerial skills, with fans calling for his head just two months ago.
However, current Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde looks to be in his final season at the Nou Camp after failing to convince players and staff he is the right man to lead the club forward, despite winning two La Liga titles.
Former Catalan favourite Thierry Henry has already been tipped as a potential successor.
But it’s reckoned Barcelona are looking to actively pursue Xavi should Valverde receive the chop next summer.
Abidal apparently met Xavi to talk about his future plans and a potential return to Barcelona.
However, the Spaniards will persist with Valverde for the time being.
And there’s every chance he could keep his job should he lead the club to Champions League glory this term.
Speaking after yesterday’s 3-2 Spanish Cup semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi insisted Valverde has the support of the whole Barcelona team.
Messi said: “Yes, there’s complete confidence in the coach. It’s normal that a lot gets said when there’s a loss.”
Teammate Luis Suarez added: “Valverde’s future is with this club. He doesn’t carry any blame.”
Should Xavi go back to Barcelona as boss, he could reintroduce Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka tactics which saw the club dominate football ten years ago.
Ernesto Valverde looks to be in his final season at BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Xavi made an astonishing 767 appearances during his time at the Nou Camp, having come up through the club’s La Masia youth academy.
He went on to win EIGHT La Liga titles, as well as four Champions League and three Copa del Reys.
Xavi has an equally impressive record for his country too, being capped by Spain 133 times and winning the 2010 World Cup as well as Euro 08 and Euro 12.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
