Barcelona want Luis Enrique as Xavi replacement

Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly eyeing 52-year-old Spanish manager Luis Enrique as a potential replacement for Xavi Hernandez.

Jota Jordi has claimed on El Chiringuito TV that Luis Enrique is the subject of interest from former club Barcelona. The Catalan giants view the 52-year-old Spanish manager as a potential replacement for Xavi Hernandez, whose future at Camp Nou is uncertain.

Xavi Hernandez returned to Barcelona last year amid much fanfare and enthusiasm. And while the Blaugrana ended the 2021/22 campaign trophyless, there was enough optimism heading into the new season. Barcelona’s spending spree in the summer transfer window would have also made an impression on the fanbase.

The Catalan giants signed stalwarts like Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha, among others. So the Barcelona supporters would have been hopeful of a memorable 2022/23 season, especially after the team began the league campaign strongly. But two months into the new campaign, Xavi’s men are faltering considerably.

Barcelona lost to Real Madrid in the first season’s El Clasico to drop to second in La Liga. And their European aspirations are down in the dumps following the early ouster from the UEFA Champions League. Xavi’s charges have won only one of the first five group-stage games, and the defeat to Bayern Munich this week sealed their fate.

Barcelona’s failure to step up in the biggest games is proving to be the undoing for Xavi at Camp Nou. And the 42-year-old seems to be walking on thin ice following their elimination from the UEFA Champions League. In addition, it is hardly surprising that the Catalan giants are seemingly eyeing potential replacement options for Xavi. And the latest name on their radar is Luis Enrique.

The 52-year-old Spanish manager spent eight years of his playing career with Barcelona. And after honing his skills at AS Roma and Celta Vigo, Enrique returned to Barcelona in a managerial capacity in 2014. He enjoyed a superb stint with the Blaugrana, winning nine trophies, including a treble in 2014/15.

Enrique is currently with the Spanish national side, who will be one of the favourites at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But he might be in contention to return to Barcelona after the grand event in Qatar if Xavi does not steer Barcelona to stable waters.

The 52-year-old Spanish manager is not the only coach on Barcelona’s radar. The Catalan giants also have their sights set on Thomas Tuchel and Marcelo Gallardo. So Barcelona should have many options to replace Xavi if the situation does not improve in the coming weeks.