Lionel Messi has privately shared his thoughts about possibly joining Manchester United, amidst reports that Xavi has entered discussions to replace Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager.
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Xavi, who left his position as Barcelona’s coach at the end of last season, has been considering a role as the head coach for the Qatar national team, where he ended his playing career… Continue Reading
However, the Daily Mail reported that Manchester United has initiated talks with Xavi’s representatives, potentially seeking him to replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is currently facing pressure due to United’s poor start to the Premier League season, their worst since 1989, although their recent 2-1 win against Brentford has slightly reduced that pressure.
Despite never having managed or played for an English club, Xavi speaks fluent English and has often spoken positively about English football.
He also has a connection to United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, with whom he worked during their time at Barcelona.
Berrada held the role of marketing manager there between 2004 and 2011 before moving to Manchester City.
Messi, who played alongside Xavi at Barcelona during some of the club’s most successful years, is now playing for Inter Miami at age 37.
Although a move to an English club seems highly unlikely at this point in his career, there’s speculation that if Xavi were to become Manchester United’s manager, it might convince Messi to reconsider playing in England.
Messi was previously linked to United in 2007, under Sir Alex Ferguson’s leadership, but he dismissed the idea at the time.
In 2020, The Athletic reported that Messi felt more ‘charmed’ by historic English clubs like Manchester United, though he ultimately chose PSG over a move to the Premier League. Now, any hope of seeing him in English football seems slim.
