Barcelona ‘open talks with Xavi about replacing Ronald Koeman next season’ despite legendary Nou Camp midfielder signing two-year deal with Qatari side Al-Sadd earlier this week
- Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with Xavi about taking over as manager
- Newspaper ARA report a meeting is scheduled with Joan Laporta this week
- The legendary Nou Camp midfielder only just a signed an extension with Al-Sadd
- Current boss Ronald Koeman’s future is unclear with Barca’s La Liga hopes slim
Barcelona have opened talks with club legend Xavi about becoming their manager next season, according to reports.
Hopes of the former Nou Camp midfielder replacing Ronald Koeman appeared to be dashed when he signed a new two-year deal with Qatari side Al-Sadd this week.
But Catalan newspaper ARA report President Joan Laporta and the Barca board have scheduled a meeting with Xavi this week to negotiate the terms for his return.
Barcelona President Joan Larpota (left) has reportedly opened talks with legendary midfielder Xavi (left) about becoming the club’s manager next season
The report indicates the Spaniard will meet with the new president and sporting director Mateu Alemany to discuss the level of responsibility he will have at the club and transfer plans for next season should he join before a contract is agreed.
It is also indicated that the future of superstar Lionel Messi could be a determinant of whether Xavi decides to move on from Al-Sadd, with the Argentine’s contract expiring in June with no new deal currently in place.
Xavi has long been touted as the future coach at the Nou Camp after a successful start to life in management following his appointment as the Qatari outfit’s manager in 2019.
The Spaniard signed a new two-year extension with Qatari outfit Al-Sadd earlier this week
The 41-year-old won the Double this season with the Qatar Stars League and the Qatar Cup, building on his success from the first two campaigns. Last year he won the Qatar Cup and the Qatar Stars Cup, with a Qatari Super Cup triumph coming in 2019.
Sportsmail reported this week that Xavi was Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s first choice to replace current boss Ronald Koeman, with the club supremo yet to back him as the man to lead them into next season.
Current boss Koeman’s future is in doubt with Barca’s hopes of winning the La Liga title now hanging by a thread as they sit four points behind Atletico Madrid with two games to go.
Current boss Ronald Koeman’s future is unclear with Barca’s La Liga hopes hanging by a thread
Hopes of the former midfielder returning could depend on Lionel Messi’s future at the club
If Atletico beat Osasuna on Sunday evening, they will end Barca’s title chances regardless of their result against Celta Vigo, which is sure to further damage Koeman’s stock amongst the Barca board.
