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MANCHESTER UNITED (English Premier Soccer League) have contacted former Barcelona boss Xavi over potentially replacing Erik ten Hag, according to reports.
The 44-year-old has been out of work since leaving Barca at the end of last season.
Ten Hag, 54, has come under intense scrutiny so far this season.
Following the Red Devils’ 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham last month, the Dutchman’s United future appeared to be in severe doubt.
They have since drawn away matches at Porto and Aston Villa, before coming from behind to beat Brentford at Old Trafford last Saturday.
According to the Mail, United chiefs have identified Xavi as a possible Ten Hag replacement.
They claim that contact has twice been made between United and Xavi via intermediaries in recent months.
Man Utd CEO Omar Berrada jetted out to Barcelona last Thursday for meetings as part of a four-man delegation.
Figures within United claim that several meetings have taken place in the Catalan city recently due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s Ineos taking part in sailings America’s Cup there.
Xavi began his managerial career with Qatari side Al-Sadd in 2019. After winning a league title and six domestic trophies, the former midfielder was appointed Barca boss in 2021.
Amid financial turmoil off the pitch, Xavi guided the Blaugrana to a LaLiga title during the 2022-23 season, also winning the Spanish Supercup in 2023.
Following a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in January, Xavi announced that he would be stepping down as boss at the end of the season.
In April he had a change of heart, however, saying he would fulfil his contract, which had been set to run until 2025.
But the following month, the club legend was sacked by club president Joan Laporta.
Prior to Xavi, Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate had been linked with the Man Utd job.
Both have subsequently been ruled out of contention, however, with Tuchel accepting the England job and Southgate vowing that he won’t coach for 12 months.
In addition to Xavi, United are claimed to be interested in former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and current Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.
The latter, however, is also being strongly linked with Manchester City, should Pep Guardiola leave the Etihad at the end of the season. (www.thesun.co.uk)
Online Reporter