Xavi offered shock return to management… but ex-Barcelona boss would ‘jump at chance’ to replace Amorim at Man Utd

XAVI has reportedly been offered a shock return to club management in Saudi Arabia.

The former Barcelona manager is without a club following his sacking in May 2024.

Xavi, 45, won the LaLiga and Super Cup titles in 2023 before he was later replaced at the Nou Camp by German Hansi Flick

Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that the legendary midfielder has been approached by Al-Ittihad.

The Tigers are on the search for their new manager after swinging the axe on Laurent Blanc.

The Frenchman was sacked just four games into the Saudi Pro League with the Jeddah club third in the table.

They have won three of their four games but trail league leaders Al-Nassr.

Xavi is not the only manager who has been approached for the job, with Luciano Spalletti and Sergio Conceicao also in the running.

Romano has also suggested that Xavi would much prefer a move to the Premier League.

His report has gone as far as to say he would jump at the chance to take up the responsibility in the Manchester United dugout.

Current manager Ruben Amorim is under mounting pressure at Old Trafford.

He watched on as his side were beaten by Brentford 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

Following the defeat, United have slumped to 14th in the Prem table and three points above the relegation zone.

Romano has insisted that Xavi is “studying” England’s top flight and would join United even though they are not competing in Europe.

Amorim has lost 17 out of his 33 Prem games in charge of the Red Devils,

The likes of Gareth Southgate, Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Fabian Hurzeler have all been linked with United.

But the former Sporting Lisbon boss has insisted he is not thinking about his future.

Speaking after the loss to the Bees, he said: “I am never concerned about my job – I am not that kind of guy.

“It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.”

Meanwhile, Xavi started his managerial career back in 2019 as he took charge of his final club Al-Sadd.

He helped the club win the Qatar Cup twice and the Qatar Stars League in 2021.

He made his emotional return to Barcelona in 2021 as he replaced Ronald Koeman.