Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez will leave the club after just over two and a half years at the club, having ended a three-season run without a title. His management has come under heavy fire this season in Spain, but he does still have cachet in Europe.

In recent weeks it has been reported that Xavi received an offer to coach the South Korean national team, which he turned down shortly after announcing his exit in January. Before Barcelona’s decision to sack him, Manchester United had shown interest, and multiple months prior AC Milan had also been in touch with him.

Xavi: “I’m leaving feeling loved by the fans, and that fills me with pride. I think that fans have valued our work and that with time it will be valued even more.”

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 26, 2024

Most recently, Chelsea have been linked with a move for Xavi, as they search for replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, but Fabrizio Romano has told Caught Offside that there is nothing concrete in that idea. Cadena SER also say that Xavi is intent on taking a sabbatical for the next year, and letting the tension of the past year slip away.

Xavi certainly returned Barcelona to the trophy stand last season in tricky circumstances, and has done so blooding nearly a full squad of youngsters, but his credit has taken a serious hit of late due to his irate press conferences, and the inability of Barcelona to pùt together consistent form. It appears the good work he has done is still being valued by many though.

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