Ronald Koeman has been sacked as Barcelona manager and the club are now expected to appoint Xavi.
Barca’s miserable 2021/22 campaign continued on Wednesday night as they lost 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano. Hours later, Koeman was relieved of his duties after 14 months in charge.
Barcelona have picked up just 15 points from their 10 matches this season and sit ninth in the table. They’ve also lost two of their three Champions League matches.
In a statement, the Spanish club said: "The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him [Koeman] of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.
"Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday."
After the match, the Dutchman said: "It [Barcelona's league position] says we're not well.
"The team has lost balance in the squad, lost very effective players, which shows. In recent years other clubs have strengthened every season and we haven't, which also shows."
It now seems Xavi will return to Camp Nou.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The ultimate El Clasico quiz
The legendary midfielder is currently the manager of the Qatari side, Al Saad.
Fabrizio Romano revealed Barcelona have been speaking to the Spaniard for weeks.
Barcelona board started contacts with Xavi weeks ago. Talks will continue today to check the situation with Al-Sadd and resolve issues. Announcement not imminent yet - process just started,” Romano wrote.
“Xavi wants Barça job. Sergi Barjuan option if FCB will need an ‘interim’ coach.”
While Xavi has worked wonders as manager of Al-Saad, would he have the same success at Barcelona?
One thing is for sure, he’d have the command of the dressing room.
Xavi played 767 times for the club over 17 seasons, winning eight league titles and four Champions Leagues.
And he wouldn’t be worried about putting the star players in their place.
That’s something we witnessed back in 2015 when Xavi was still a player.
During the 2015 open-top bus parades after Barca had won the league again, Xavi was seen shoving Neymar in the face.
VIDEO: Xavi shoves Neymar in the face
He later said: “He (Neymar) was trying to take my shoes off and pushing me when I was on the edge of the bus," He told Qatari newspaper Sport, per the Independent.
“I said that they should stop messing about and concentrate on the people that had come out to wave as the bus passed.
"These parades are for the people after all. It’s okay to have three or four beers but the parade is for the people and it’s the chance for us to thank them for our support. You can’t just do what you want to do."
Xavi may have appeared a quiet footballer who would mind his own business off the pitch but it seems he’s not afraid of giving out the hairdryer treatment if a player deserves it.
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