Barcelona could axe Ronald Koeman if results do not improve as they prepare to face Real Madrid this weekend in El Clasico while Xavi Hernandez has long been tipped to take over
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Griezmann returns to Atletico training after rejoining club
Xavi has sent a message to Barcelona over his credentials as manager after winning a seventh trophy as a coach.
Ronald Koeman has come under intense pressure during the season against a backdrop of financial ruin.
Heavy defeats to Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Benfica have damaged the Dutchman’s image at the club and many reports in Spain have stated that he would have been sacked had it not been for the economic situation at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona are in a sticky situation at the bank with their latest returns showing that they are almost half a billion in the red.
It has been reported that the only preventing Koeman from being sacked is the huge pay-off that they would need to fork out to get him out of the club.
Among those linked with a move to the Nou Camp dugout is Belgium boss Robert Martinez, former Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo and Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
But the fan’s choice is clear – Barcelona legend Xavi – who has been building his management portfolio out in Qatar.
And when asked about the future, he admitted that he is looking to take over at Barca if an offer comes in.
Xavi said: “My idea is to coach Barcelona one day. I’ve never hidden this, it’s my dream.
“I don’t know if it will happen or not, whether they even need me or not, but for the moment I’m also happy at Al Sadd and very proud of being here.
“If any offer comes, it will be evaluated and then we will try to decide, but for the time being I’m very happy here.”
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Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
The former Spain midfielder is loved in Catalonia, where he spent the majority of his professional career and won trophy after trophy.
That includes a whopping eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, four Champions League trophies and the World Cup.
The latter stage of his career included four years in Qatar with Al Sadd, where he helped them win the league title in 2019.
Upon retirement that year, the 41-year-old jumped straight into management with Al Sadd where he has already had great success.
He won the Qatar Emir Cup on Friday after beating Al Rayyan on penalties, with Santi Cazorla scoring in the shootout.
Xavi faced Laurent Blanc in the managerial dugout while James Rodriguez faltered.
But for the ex-Barca star, it was a seventh title for him in Qatar, lifting the Sheikh Jassen Cup in 2019, Prince Cup in 2020 and 2021, Emir Cup in 2020 and the SuperCup in 2020 and also the league champions in 2021.
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