Xavi's seven-word statement speaks volumes as Man Utd sack Erik ten Hag

Amid a whirlwind of speculation as to whom might replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United coach, free agent Xavi has hinted he’d be open to such a role. Or at least the Barcelona icon suggested the Premier League could be of interest when he was starting out as a manager.

Ten Hag was shown the Old Trafford exit on Monday after his side suffered a 2-1 loss to West Ham in injury time on Sunday. United have won just three of their nine Premier League games so far this season in what’s been their worst start to a campaign on record.

And it will delight some fans to know former tormentor Xavi could be up for the challenge of succeeding the Dutchman. The 44-year-old parted ways with Barcelona at the end of last season but could be tempted back to gainful employment at the Theatre of Dreams.

“So why not? I could see myself [managing] in England, definitely,” the Catalan told The Times in 2021. “It’s one of the things I’d like to experience in my career.”

And he’s not the only Spanish football icon to have suggested he’d consider a role in England’s top flight for his next deployment. Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane similarly refused to rule out the possibility of a Premier League move and he is also heavily linked with the United gig.

“Never say never. Especially when you are a coach today,” the Frenchman told L’Equipe in 2022. “If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty.”

It was only a few months ago that United settled on persisting with Ten Hag as coach amid reports he would be fired despite winning the FA Cup last term. But after failing to improve United’s fortunes in Europe or domestically this season, the club’s board has finally decided to cut the cord.

Xavi was in a similar state of limbo towards the end of his term in Catalonia. The former Spain metronome led the Blaugrana to La Liga glory in 2023 but was sacked the following year after falling out with Barca president Joan Laporta.

The likes of Xavi and Zidane may have achieved big things with their respective former clubs, but the current project at Old Trafford presents a far different challenge. United have mustered just two serious challenges on the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson won the crown in his farewell season 11 years ago.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his fellow board members have signalled a statement of intent by finally sacking Ten Hag to start the manager search afresh. And although Xavi has said he’s intent on taking a sabbatical after his Barca exit, the chance to overhaul United is one that could prove too tempting to turn down.