Former Barcelona boss Xavi linked in talks over return to management following exit from Catalan club - Reports

Former Barcelona coach Xavi could reportedly return to coaching since leaving the Catalan side earlier this year in May. The coach was replaced by former Germany coach Hansi Flick this season after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.

After a two-year managerial stint with Qatari side Al-Sadd, Xavi took over as Barcelona head coach in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman. In his first full season as the Blaugrana coach, the Spaniard guided the club to LaLiga title and the Supercopa de Espana.

Xavi's final season as Barcelona coach saw the club going trophyless. La Blaugrana lost the league title to arch-rivals Real Madrid by 10 points. They also bowed out of the UEFA Champions League after a 6-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the quarter-finals. The Catalan giants lost the Supercopa de Espana title to Real Madrid following a 4-1 loss in the final.

In January 2024, Xavi had declared his intention of leaving Barca at the end of the season. However, the coach changed his mind and decided to continue for another season in May 2024. In an unexpected turn of events, the Catalan side sacked Xavi weeks after and brought in Hansi Flick as head coach.

As per reports by Qatari newspaper Al Raya, Xavi could return to football management as the head coach of the Qatar national team. Qatar Football Association are reportedly keen on replacing current boss Tintin Marquez with Xavi. This comes after Qatar's 4-1 loss to Iran in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers.

Xavi is reportedly considered as an ideal replacement due to his previous experience with Qatari football. Between 2019 and 2021, the former Spain international managed Qatar Star League club Al-Sadd. The coach had notably led the club to Qatar Cup glory in the 2019-20 season.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick opens up on meeting former boss Xavi over coffee

Hansi Flick - Source: Getty

Ahead of Barcelona's clash against Sevilla in LaLiga on October 20, current Barcelona boss Hansi Flick opened up on meeting Xavi over coffee. Xavi shared images alongside Hansi Flick on his Instagram account on October 18.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, the German coach said (via Barca Blaugranes):

"When I was the German coach I had a good relationship with Xavi. We wrote to each other and talked. I waited a bit to contact him and after the tribute to Iniesta I thought it was a good time to contact him."

Flick added:

"I asked him if I could have a coffee with him and it was a good meeting. I also met with his family. They’re not far from my house. The rest is private between him and me.”

Flick has maintained an impressive record since taking over the helm at Barcelona. Under the German coach, Barca recorded eight wins out of nine games played in LaLiga. The Catalans sit atop the league table with 24 points. In the UEFA Champions League, they recorded a 2-1 loss to Monaco and a 5-0 win over Young Boys so far.

La Blaugrana will next face Sevilla in LaLiga on October 20 before clashing against Bayern Munich in the UCL on October 23.