La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of appointing Javier Mascherano as a youth coach soon.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Javier Mascherano could soon return to Barcelona in a managerial capacity. The Catalan giants are keen on appointing their former defensive stalwart as the head coach of either the reserve side or some youth team within the next year.
Javier Mascherano enjoyed a legendary playing career, representing several champion teams like River Plate, Liverpool, and Barcelona. The former Argentine international was a utility man in its truest sense, as he started his career as a defensive midfielder before remodelling himself as an indomitable centre-back.
It was a central defender that Mascherano enjoyed some of the best moments of his career, forging a solid partnership alongside Gerard Pique in the latter stages of his career. The 37-year-old’s best moments came with Barcelona, and he won 19 trophies with the Blaugrana, including five La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League triumphs.
Upon leaving Barcelona, Mascherano spent two short stints with Hebei China Fortune and Estudiantes, ending his career in his homeland. Since hanging up his boots, Mascherano has entered the coaching world, becoming the head coach of the Argentine under-20 team.
But Mascherano could soon return to Barcelona, with Joan Laporta keen on bringing the former Argentine defensive stalwart back to Camp Nou. While the 37-year-old will unlikely become the first team manager amid the positive progress that Xavi Hernandez is making, he could become the Barcelona B head coach.
Alternatively, Mascherano could have the chance of becoming a youth coach for Barcelona, if Sergi Barjuan retains his position as the Barcelona B manager. But widespread speculation has claimed that Barjuan could be relieved of his duties at the end of the season, thereby creating a vacancy that Mascherano could take up.
The 37-year-old has overseen just one game as the Argentine under-20 manager, so he might not call it quits there just yet. Barcelona will thus have to wait for Mascherano to become available, as Laporta continues to appoint managers and coaches with the Barcelona DNA. Whether Mascherano returns to Barcelona in a managerial capacity.
