An period which as soon as promised a lot at Barcelona has reached its epilogue.
Xavi Hernandez, the as soon as marvellous midfielder who functioned because the beating coronary heart of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Catalans, revealed in January that his tenure as Barca coach will draw to a untimely shut on the finish of the 2023/24 season.
The present marketing campaign has been one in every of indifference for Spain’s reigning champions, with the stress and “entorno” surrounding the membership taking part in main components in Xavi’s resolution to step down.
A lot of the discourse within the wake of Xavi’s announcement has centered on who’ll succeed the Spaniard on the helm. Little has been fabricated from the supervisor’s future.
This is how 90min ranks potential job openings for Xavi after he departs Barcelona come summer time.
Like Barcelona, Liverpool will likely be on the hunt for a brand new supervisor in the summertime after Jurgen Klopp revealed that he’d be stepping down on the finish of the season following a nine-year tenure at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Xavi is not a reputation the Reds are more likely to entertain. His physique of labor doesn’t mean he’ll be able to guiding an extremely emotional membership by means of what might be a painful rebuild within the wake of Klopp’s exit.
Liverpool usually tend to goal Xavi’s former worldwide teammate Xabi Alonso for the position as an alternative.
Probability ranking: 1/10
Chelsea are determined for the Mauricio Pochettino venture to come back good for a myriad of causes. Nevertheless, the Argentine’s debut season has been laden with distress outdoors of their success within the home cups.
The Blues are as soon as once more mid-table fodder within the Premier League, and there is a likelihood that the membership half methods with Poch ought to their marketing campaign finish in the same vein to 2022/23 (twelfth within the ultimate standings).
If Todd Boehly is incessant on sticking with a ‘venture supervisor’ within the wake of one other failure, then Xavi is likely to be a reputation they think about. Nevertheless, Chelsea followers usually tend to clamour for a return to the DNA that made them so profitable beneath Roman Abrahmovich’s possession.
Because it stands, it is arduous to envisage Xavi marauding the house dugout at Stamford Bridge. It is simply not an excellent match.
Probability ranking: 3/10
Xavi wound down his taking part in days in Qatar with Al Sadd earlier than then starting his managerial profession with the identical membership.
The Spaniard loved loads of success in Qatar and would maybe be open to a return if he fancies a interval out of the limelight after enduring the chaos of Catalonia.
Nevertheless, the nationwide crew job is extra possible than a return to the Qatari high flight with Al Sadd. Presuming Xavi is a person of lofty ambition, what does he should show on the membership the place he is been there and performed it?
The previous midfielder as soon as mentioned he’d be open to teaching the Qatari nationwide crew on the 2022 World Cup, and whereas that window handed, he may fancy guiding them on their journey to the 2026 event.
Probability ranking: 4/10
Xavi achieved unprecedented success with the Spanish nationwide crew as they claimed three successive main event titles between 2008 and 2012, profitable their first World Cup in 2010.
Luis de la Fuente faces an enormous check this summer time at Euro 2024, with the comparatively unknown Spain supervisor succeeding Luis Enrique within the wake of the 2022 World Cup.
Whereas he is performed a fairly good job up to now, De la Fuente’s low-key standing renders his place susceptible. The Spanish federation are eager to increase the supervisor’s deal till the 2026 World Cup, however many will likely be calling for his head ought to Spain underwhelm in Germany this coming summer time.
Given Xavi’s standing and availability, he is a reputation Spain will certainly think about if they give thought to parting methods with their incumbent. The much less demanding nature of the worldwide calendar may additionally go well with the Barcelona boss.
Probability ranking: 6/10
Sticking round in Spain appears possible for Xavi. Nevertheless, the Barcelona coach should not be anticipated to land a high La Liga job.
The 2 Madrid golf equipment are off the desk, Ernesto Valverde is flourishing with Athletic Membership, Imanol is wedded to Actual Sociedad, whereas Valencia are on the come-up with membership legend Ruben Baraja on the helm.
Nonetheless, there are some choices for Xavi. Shock title contenders Girona might be looking out in the summertime given the curiosity that is constructing in Michel, and Actual Betis might half methods with Manuel Pellegrini. Nevertheless, it is virtually sure {that a} emptiness will open up at Sevilla and this might be Xavi’s finest path to remaining in La Liga.
Sevilla have been a multitude for a few years, regardless of their Europa League success final season. They’re onto their third supervisor this time period with Quique Sanchez Flores hoping to steer the historic membership away from relegation.
Flores is a short-term repair who virtually definitely will not be on the membership come the beginning of 2024/25. It is a robust job given the make-up of the squad, however one which Xavi may fancy taking over.
Probability ranking: 7/10
It isn’t simply Europe’s supreme taking part in expertise that Saudi Arabia are attempting to poach. The Kingdom has additionally tried to prise away a number of the recreation’s brightest teaching minds.
Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri are among the many managers to obtain mammoth provides from the Saudi Professional League (SPL), with the likes of Jorge Jesus and Marcelo Gallardo amongst these presently teaching there.
Xavi is a celebrity identify that’ll undoubtedly intrigue these within the cash-rich Kingdom, with the Spaniard’s expertise of the Center East rendering this feature extra possible than some European alternate options. The Barcelona boss solely not too long ago expressed his admiration of the SPL venture, candidly saying in January: “I’m a giant fan of the Saudi league.”
It is on the desk, that is for positive.
Probability ranking: 8/10
