A Former Barcelona and Spain star believes that Xavi would be tempted by managing in the Premier League, citing Manchester United as the best destination.
Manchester United have had a mixed start to the Premier League, heading into the international break sat in tenth place in the table, with three wins, one draw and three losses.
While United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland was fairly straightforward, Ruben Amorim’s men scraped past Chelsea and Burnley for their other two wins.
On both occasions, they relied on fine margins, an early dismissal in one match and a stoppage-time penalty in the other, highlighting their difficult start to the season.
Tensions further grew following United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford, but their win before the international break quietened rumours surrounding Amorim’s job security; however, rumours persist.
Xavi would be tempted by the job
Following two and a half years in charge at his boyhood club, Xavi was sacked by Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 campaign after a run of poor results. Since then, the legendary Spanish midfielder has been out of a managerial position despite being linked with several opportunities.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that Xavi has a high level of interest in the United position and would be ready to take over at Old Trafford immediately, even without European football.
Speaking in an interview with OLBG, Former Spain and Barcelona star Gaiza Mendieta also believes that Xavi would take the United job, saying, “I think if it’s the right project, he will be tempted. Who doesn’t want to coach in the Premier League?
“Who would not want to coach Manchester United, even if it’s in a difficult time? He won trophies at Barca during a very peculiar period of history of the club and he changed that.
“Of course, he doesn’t know Manchester United as he knows Barca, but he’s been there, he knows that, and he’s capable of doing those things. So if the project seems right to him, I’m sure he will take it.”
Xavi is prepared for the Man Utd job
Mendieta also spoke about how he feels that Xavi is prepared for the job after several years away from a managerial role. He said: “He’s been preparing himself already, waiting for the chance to come. I know he’s had a few options to go and coach, but it wasn’t the right project.
“I think for a coach like him, it’s the project that matters, not only the history and the club. A lot of people were hesitant about his move to Barca because he had only been in Qatar. People thought he wasn’t ready, then he won the league and the Super Cup in his first season.
“I think football has changed a lot. The coaches and players tend to adapt. It’s at an incredibly high level, and it’s a lot faster because people are more prepared. There are more tools out there for coaches to gain an understanding, knowing what’s happening at other clubs and with other players.
“He has his own platforms to understand and analyse situations. So wherever he goes, which could be Man United, he’ll be prepared for the job he takes for sure.”
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