A former La Liga manager has entered the Manchester United radar, but will face competition from Tottenham to make the change to the Premier League.
Michael Carrick has been appointed as Manchester United’s head coach for the remainder of the 2025/26 season following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim after a public feud with the club.
United got off to a great start with Carrick as they dismantled Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a dominant 2-0 victory.
The club has a history of inconsistent managerial recruitment since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, leaving them without a Premier League title since 2013.
The recruitment has spanned all across Europe, but with Tottenham’s poor form under Danish manager Thomas Frank, United will face competition as a former La Liga manager looks open to a move to England.
Xavi on Manchester United radar
Former Barcelona boss, Xavi Hernandez, has been the name in the mouths of many United fans since the hunt for a new manager began.
The 45-year-old managed Barcelona from November 2021 to May 2024, where he achieved a La Liga title in 2022/23. Earlier in the same season, though, Xavi’s Barcelona side fell out of the Europa League at the hands of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
With Spurs’ recent run of poor form, they could become favourites to secure the arrival of the former Barcelona manager.
Speaking on the Transfer Insiders podcast, Pete O’Rourke said: “Yeah, look, he would be an interesting option for both Manchester United and Tottenham, obviously, he has got a glittering CV from his time at Barcelona.
“I’m sure Xavi himself would be interested in the chance to maybe move to the Premier League and either join Manchester United or Tottenham.
“I’m not sure he’s probably so high up the list of both clubs. Obviously, we know United are looking for a permanent manager in the summer with Michael Carrick in interim charge at the minute.
“Thomas Frank, for now, is still in charge at Tottenham, and no decision has been made on what they’re going to do long-term.“
Would Man United be better suited to Xavi?
United have had a variety of managerial recruitment strategies, but Xavi is a proven winner from his time playing at Barcelona.
Having already faced the expectations of managing one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Xavi would know the pressure on his shoulders if he were to move to Manchester.
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With United looking far more comfortable than Spurs in the Premier League, United may still have the upper hand, but Tottenham are potentially looking for a permanent solution over an interim manager, so they could offer Xavi work sooner.
In the meantime, Carrick will continue to steer the ship at United whilst the club searches for the best option, whether that is a return to management for Xavi or not.
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