The latest word on Xavi replacing Ronald Koeman at Barcelona
A fresh insight into the stance of Xavi Hernandez when it comes to potentially replacing Ronald Koeman on the Barcelona bench has been forthcoming on Saturday.
Barca’s blues
The subject of Dutchman Koeman’s future at the Camp Nou has of course come under the microscope in a major way of late.
This comes with Barca having endured an altogether underwhelming opening to the new campaign, en route to just two wins across the club’s first five outings.
The Blaugrana’s latest dropped points were forthcoming on Thursday night, when the most recent in a string of increasingly disappointing performances saw them forced to settle for a share of the spoils at Cadiz.
Barcelona’s Spanish defender Gerard Pique (3L) remonstrate with the referee after presenting a red card to Barcelona’s Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong (2R) during the Spanish League football match between Cadiz CF and FC Barcelona at the Ramon de Carranza stadium in Cadiz on September 23, 2021. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
In the defence of Ronald Koeman, the former Everton boss has already been forced to deal with a whole host of personnel issues thus far in 2021/22, whilst bouncing back from the loss of Lionel Messi was always likely to pose a considerable challenge.
However, this does not take away from the fact that the Dutchman has, all told, looked completely and utterly out of his depth.
Baffling decision after baffling decision have seen the Blaugrana faithful make clear their desire for change on the club’s bench, with Koeman’s tactical ineptitude having been on full display upon the 58-year-old opting to utilise key defender Gerard Pique as a centre-forward during a recent meeting with Granada.
Xavi latest
In turn, word beginning to do the rounds in the media that the board at the Camp Nou are indeed in the process of sounding out potential replacements for their under-fire manager should come as little surprise.
And, as outlined above, on Saturday, an insight into the potential addition of what would no doubt prove a fan favourite has been forthcoming online.
The tactician in question? Club legend Xavi Hernandez.
The info comes courtesy of the reliable Edu Polo of Mundo Deportivo, known to have close ties to Xavi, the current boss at Qatari outfit Al Sadd.
As per Polo, contrary to reports elsewhere this weekend, the ex-Blaugrana midfielder has not yet made his stance on the possibility of a Camp Nou return known to the club.
However, those in a position of power in Catalunya are well aware that, if they do contact him, Xavi would immediately make himself available for the role.
In fact, it is even suggested that the 41-year-old is ‘awaiting the call’ from Barca president Joan Laporta.
Xavi no ha dicho ni sí ni no al Barça, básicamente porque nadie ha contactado con él. Pero el club sabe por terceras personas que sí aceptaría coger ahora al equipo. Él sigue en Qatar a la espera de la llamada de Laporta. Por respeto a Koeman no se pronunciará sobre el tema
— Edu Polo (@EduPolo) September 25, 2021
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