Frank Christian
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is reportedly under significant scrutiny, with recent updates indicating that discussions have occurred regarding a potential successor.
The Daily Mail reports that the club has reached out to former Barcelona manager Xavi to explore the idea of him stepping in at Old Trafford.
Xavi had an unexpected exit from Barcelona in May, shortly after they had convinced him to stay on, leading to Hansi Flick taking over and achieving an impressive start as Barcelona sits atop La Liga ahead of their upcoming match against Real Madrid.
Xavi’s current status as an unemployed coach could make him a viable option for United, who are currently looking to minimize costs and avoid hefty buyout fees for a new manager.
Intermediaries have reportedly communicated with Xavi “twice in the last few months,” with United’s CEO Omar Berrada visiting Barcelona recently, though this might have been primarily for an executive meeting, given that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been involved in the America’s Cup sailing events.
This interest in Xavi is noteworthy, especially considering his previous remarks on ten Hag’s impact at Manchester United.
Xavi’s Observations on Ten Hag
In the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League knockout stages, Manchester United faced Barcelona during Ten Hag’s inaugural season as the club’s manager.
The two sides had a thrilling contest, with United advancing 4-3 on aggregate, following a 2-1 victory at home after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Xavi recognized United’s strong performances in those matches, commending ten Hag’s leadership prior to their first encounter.
“Ten Hag has transformed the team,” he remarked before the initial leg. “They’ve faced challenges but are doing exceptionally well. He is a fantastic coach. Changing United’s trajectory was a tough task.
“He successfully adapts their attacking and defensive strategies, which function effectively. As an attacking coach, he consistently demonstrates this approach in nearly every match, making him a benchmark for those who appreciate this style of football.”
