Xavi enters talks over return to management five months after divisive exit from Barcelona

The Catalan giants parted ways with their club legend after the 2023-24 campaign, and they appointed former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick as his successor. After leaving Barca, the ex-Spain international revealed that he plans to take a sabbatical from coaching. However, per Qatari newspaper Al Raya, the 44-year-old could return to football management soon.

The report claims that the Qatar Football Association are planning to appoint Xavi as their next manager as pressure mounts on current boss Tintin Marquez after their recent 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Iran in the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers. The Catalan star had begun his managerial journey in the Middle Eastern nation as he managed Qatar Stars League side Al-Sadd for two years before heading to La Liga.

Earlier this week, Flick visited Xavi at his home in Catalonia and exchanged pleasantries thereby putting to bed any notion of a feud between the two coaches.

The Catalan side will be back in action in La Liga on Sunday as they take on Sevilla at home before facing Bayern Munich in a massive Champions outing during midweek.