On Thursday, Barcelona officially announced that Xavi Hernandez had reversed his decision to stay on as manager until the end of next season. Back in January, the 44-year-old revealed that he would be stepping down in the summer, but after discussions with Joan Laporta, Rafa Yuste and Deco, he has opted to remain for another 12 months.
🚨 Héctor Fort will get more minutes in the final stretch of the season. @bonagerman
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 27, 2024
That revelation is said to have caused a rift in the Barcelona board, and it also left other clubs disappointed. Manchester United are said to have had Xavi on their shortlist to replace under-fire head coach Erik ten Hag, and now, it’s been revealed by De Telegraaf (via Sport) that Ajax were also considering him as a candidate for their manager’s position.
Xavi had been linked with the Amsterdam-based job on multiple occasions over the last few months, and according to the report, he was a serious candidate to replace the outgoing John van ‘t Schip. They were left “surprised” at his Barcelona U-turn, especially as he told Ajax officials of his intention to take a sabbatical next season.
Instead, Xavi will be tasked with getting Barcelona back among the best in Europe next season, after a very disappointing campaign this time around. A big summer awaits, and he will be at the centre of it.
