Xavi Hernandez will meet with Chelsea to discuss his potential role as head coach. After three years in charge, Barcelona fired Xavi, making him the most well-known manager to leave this summer.
The former midfielder intended to leave the team at the end of the season, but club president Joan Laporta persuaded him to stay in April. Since then, the team has shifted their perspective on his future. Xavi’s contract with the La Liga powerhouse would have expired in 2025, but he will leave after the team’s season-ending game against Sevilla on Sunday.
Only a few days have passed since Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent, and now Xavi has left the Catalan club. After the departures of previous managers Graham Potter and Pochettino from Stamford Bridge, the Blues are looking for their third regular manager in two years.
The team has shortlisted Kieran McKenna, Enzo Maresca, and Sebastian Hoeness to be their next head coach. And in Xavi, they now have another option.
Over the last few months, FC Barcelona has treated Xavi in an unusual and even shameful way. The club’s veteran and former captain announced his resignation at the end of the season, but the president and board essentially begged him to reconsider. When he announced his intention to stay, the club’s position shifted once more, urging him to leave.
In addition, the club took several actions without first informing Xavi, such as meeting with his successor. It was an impolite and disorganized way of doing business.
Nonetheless, despite how ridiculous the situation became, the successor is a qualified coach who deserves a chance.
McKenna and Maresca, the designated candidates, are both interested in the position, with the latter having supporters at Brighton and Manchester United. Currently, Leicester City’s manager is reportedly “super open and super keen” to take over as Pochettino’s permanent replacement.
Although discussions and inquiries have taken place, it appears that the club’s search for a new manager is about to take a positive turn.