Erik ten Hag was finally fired by Manchester United following a dismal start to the 2024–2025 season.
Despite a terrible 2023–24 season in which Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League, the Dutchman was able to retain his position.
The only thing that rescued the man from Haaksbergen was the FA Cup victory, which hardly ever occurred because Coventry’s incredible comeback from a 3-0 deficit was destroyed by VAR in the semi-final.
Since then, Erik ten Hag has been unable to take advantage of the patience that INEOS gave him, leading the Red Devils to just three victories from nine Premier League games this season, dropping them to 14th place.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| 14 | Manchester united | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 11 |
A report from Sky Sports claims that Xavi is currently speaking with Old Trafford CEO Omar Berrada.
The Spaniard, who hasn’t managed since Barcelona dismissed him in May 2024, is apparently discussing the role in great detail, according to Sky Sports. He has even enquired about the possibility of receiving assistance in the dugout from a “well known” former Manchester United player.
To add petrol to the flames, the story also cites a recent image of Xavi with his kid, who was seen sporting a Manchester United shirt.
Erik ten Hag may be replaced by Xavi’s management style and track record.
Using an attacking 4-3-3 formation, the 44-year-old managed a respectable three-year tenure at Barcelona, winning both the 2022–2023 La Liga and the 2023 Supercopa de Espana.
Xavi, who Liverpool evaluated before Arne Slot, finished with 91 victories in 143 games at Barcelona, 23 draws, and 29 losses. His team scored 280 goals while giving up 158 goals.
The Terrassa native even led Al-Sadd to an undefeated season in 2020–21 before taking Ronald Koeman’s place in Catalonia.
Al-Sadd scored 77 goals and gave up just 14 goals as Xavi, who once declared that he would be happy to coach Arsenal, guided the Qatari team to 19 victories and three draws in 22 games that season, easily winning the Qatar Stars League.
Given the situation Ten Hag has left the Red Devils in, it will be difficult for Xavi to duplicate these successes at Manchester United, but his record is undoubtedly encouraging.
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