Manchester United make contact with Xavi Hernandez | OneFootball

Xavi Hernandez has emerged as a possible candidate to take over from Erik ten Hag in the summer.

The lead-up to Manchester United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City later this afternoon has been overshadowed by constant speculation over the future of the current coach.

The Dutchman has had a nightmarish second season at the helm, which has seen United finish eighth in the Premier League and they somehow ended up bottom of a rather friendly looking Champions League group with Galatasaray and Copenhagen both present.

This has resulted in Ten Hag’s future coming under constant speculation and there was a flood of news yesterday on the eve of the cup final, suggesting that the decision has already been taken by new owners INEOS to sack the manager irrespective of today’s result.

As a consequence, a variety of managers have been linked to the hotseat such as Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Kieran McKenna.

All three managers are said to be enthusiastic about the prospect and the first two are currently unattached as they have both left their respective clubs in the last week.

However, another manager who has just lost his job, is said to be attractive proposition for INEOS.

Barcelona legend Xavi was sacked yesterday and is available for hire should a club be interested in his services.

It was reported here that United had shown interest in the manager before his U-turn to stay at Barcelona but now that he has officially gone, they could reignite their interest.

El Nacional) report that “Manchester Utd have made contact with Xavi.”

The Red Devils are said to be “interested” in bringing the Spaniard to the Premier League and it has been “leaked” that “his name is on the list of possible replacements” for Ten Hag.

The Catalan would be a risky but intriguing choice. He does not have the experience of a Tuchel or Pochettino but he has won a league title in Spain and would be instantly respected by this generation of players who will have grown up marvelling at the midfield magician.

He has been described as having “faith in attacking football which is underpinned by the belief that the longer a team has possession, the closer to victory it will remain, but he also respects other approaches and has demonstrated an understanding that, during matches, his team needs to be able to adapt.”

In addition, there are few if any clubs with the pressure of Barcelona, so he would probably be unfazed by what he would experience at Old Trafford.

Moreover, he has had to operate under significant financial restriction at his former side, so in theory, a move to United would allow him to purchase more of his own type of players rather than seeing what is available in the bargain bin of free transfers.

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