Xavi has admitted he would like to manage Chelsea as Blues target ex-Barcelona boss
Chelsea are on the lookout for a new permanent head coach after sacking Liam Rosenior last month, with Barcelona legend Xavi among the potential candidates for the Stamford Bridge hotseat
Xavi has previously spoken of Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Xavi has already admitted that he would like to manage Chelsea as the Blues look for a replacement for Liam Rosenior. The Englishman was sacked by the club last month due to a dip in form, just three months into a staggering six-and-a-half year deal.
While Calum McFarlane has been named as interim head coach until the end of the season, the club are on the lookout for a permanent appointment ahead of 2026/27. A number of world-class names have been linked with the vacancy, including Xabi Alonso – who has been out of work since parting ways with Real Madrid in January – and Andoni Iraola, who will leave Bournemouth later this month.
Cesc Fabregas has also been tipped for a grand return in a managerial capacity after an impressive tenure with Como, as has Frank Lampard, who has just guided Coventry to a Championship title and promotion to the Premier League. However, Barcelona legend Xavi has given the Blues a major boost in that he has previously admitted he would like to take the reins in west London.
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Speaking in 2019, ahead of his appointment with the La Liga giants, the 46-year-old said: “I don’t hide it, my goal is to return to Europe and return to Barca, it is my challenge ahead, but I’m still learning in this project and I’m also enjoying it.
“My idea, which also happened to me as a footballer, is to be in Barcelona. Training this type of team would be a privilege and the greatest privilege for me would be to return to Barca.”
He added: “That is my goal, but obviously, who doesn’t like the Premier League? The football atmosphere, the packed stadiums and the people who play in the Premier League say it’s extraordinary.
“Obviously if I had to choose, I would choose a big team, (Manchester) City or United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham. Also, (Jurgen) Klopp and (Mauricio) Pochettino and Unai Emery, many people who have gone there are doing an extraordinary job.”
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Xavi ultimately returned to his boyhood club in 2021 as head coach following Ronald Koeman’s departure, guiding them to a La Liga title and a Supercopa de Espana before he was replaced by Hansi Flick in 2024. He has been out of work ever since.
However, it now appears as though Chelsea are considering the Spaniard as their next appointment.
A report from the I suggests that the club are hopeful of recruiting a head coach who harbours the same ideology as Enzo Maresca in instilling an identity that runs throughout their age groups.
The club do, however, face stiff competition should they hope to bring Xavi to Stamford Bridge. On top of the Moroccan national team apparently viewing him as an ideal successor to Walid Regragui, Manchester United have also been linked with the former midfielder, as they weigh up options beyond Michael Carrick.
It comes as Alonso is the bookmakers’ favourite in terms of becoming Chelsea’s next manager, albeit, the Spaniard would demand “a bit more control” of the club should he arrive in the capital, as per insiders.
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