Rumours have been swirling over the last couple of days that Barcelona are ready to part ways with Ernesto Valverde.

The Barca boss has always been a divisive figure at Camp Nou, despite winning La Liga in both of his seasons in charge.

But there have always been questions over his suitability to Barcelona, a club that prides itself on a particular style and philosophy of play.

Valverde is far more inclined to set up a pragmatic team, rather than one looking to play the 'Barcelona way' that Johan Cruyff implemented 30 years ago.

And it looks as though the club may have decided to part ways before Valverde's contract finishes at the end of the season.

The man they reportedly want to replace him couldn't be more ingrained in Barcelona, either - club legend Xavi.

Barca even made an offer to their former playmaker, only for Xavi to somewhat surprisingly turn them down.

And according to Marca, he had five reasons for doing so.

Firstly, Xavi knows that the job is his when he wants it and so there's no rush. And as he believes it's better to take over at the end of the season, he'd rather do that.

Secondly, he respects Valverde - the coach has won back-to-back titles, after all - and doesn't think it's right to take a job in this way.

Then there's the respect he has for current employers Al Sadd, who signed him to a multi-year deal and gave him his first chance in management.

He has a commitment to his current players, too, and they have the Qatari Cup final coming up. Xavi wouldn't want to leave them in the lurch.

The fifth and final reason is a more complicated one - a 'moral' commitment to Victor Font, a candidate in Barcelona's presidential elections.

Elections are next year, when Xavi's contract with Al Sadd comes to an end. All things considered, perhaps it'll be next year that he really has his eyes on the job.