Xavi Hernandez is one manager linked with taking over at Manchester United once a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim is announced
Xavi Hernandez looks on and waves
Xavi Hernandez has been linked with the Manchester United manager's job with a decision to be made this summer(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
View Image
Manchester United have been told the key to enticing former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez into becoming their next permanent manager is by presenting a convincing project that aligns with his tactical ideas.
United dismissed Ruben Amorim last week and installed Darren Fletcher as interim boss. The 41-year-old has overseen matches against Burnley and Brighton in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively, now it is expected that an interim coach who will see out the remainder of the season will be named as quickly as possible in the run-up to next weekend's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Michael Carrick are the frontrunners for the position, whilst Fletcher has also been in contention as he has steered the club of late.
Afterwards, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will turn their attention to the next big decision - a permanent United manager to be named ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Xavi - a serial trophy winner at the heart of Barcelona's midfield before winning the 2022/23 La Liga title and 2023 Supercopa as manager - is one of few world-renowned coaches currently without a job since leaving Camp Nou in 2024, and has found his name in the early running to take over at Old Trafford.
If this is to become a reality, Gaizka Mendieta, the 45-year-old's former Spain and Barcelona teammate, has outlined the terms it will take to reach an agreement.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who provide the latest football odds, Mendieta said: "Xavi would definitely understand what a club like Manchester United needs in terms of the history and how the fans demand trophies.
"I think that’s probably in line with Barca when he joined them. Knowing Xavi, I think what would be a priority though, is the project. It’s a huge club, but he will need to see something that makes him really want to do it.
"It's something that he needs to be excited about. He wouldn’t join just because it’s United, but because there's a project behind it. It needs to be a project that aligns with his idea of the football that he wants to put in place.
"He would not go just for the sake of being Man Utd manager, he would need to be given the tools he needs to play his type of football."
Reports in Spain have recently suggested Xavi would be interested in joining United. Mendieta's comments also echo the man in question's comments, made last year as he was asked if he would like to coach a team from England.
"Of course? Where, I don't know," he replied. "There's no hurry for me, but I'd like a good project.
"Like, 'You have four years to work and make a project.' I'd love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it's too much about the result.
"Or a national team, that would appeal. When I dreamed about being a coach, I dreamed about being in a World Cup or European Championship."
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.