Xavi could face an awkward meeting with a Manchester United star if he takes the bench at Old Trafford after some critical comments he made years ago.
Mail Sport revealed that intermediaries have contacted the former Barcelona star and coach on two occasions in recent months.
Erik ten Hag’s position is under constant scrutiny but he led United to a much-needed 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
Xavi led Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2022-23, but that won’t be much comfort to Casemiro, who once received some criticism from the Spaniard in 2018.
Madrid collapses, seven players attack and Casemiro is left alone to cover the center. (Barça midfielder Sergio) Busquets can’t do that because even I am faster than him. Casemiro is super fast, but he has problems with everything else because he hasn’t worked on it,” Xavi told El País.
Xavi could face an uncomfortable reunion with Casemiro if he ends up coaching Manchester United
In 2018 he suggested that Casemiro had “problems” with most things other than pace and would not fit his style of play.
Casemiro admitted that “he can’t play the football that Xavi wants,” but was satisfied with his success at Madrid
“He has other characteristics, he is more defensive, he makes more tackles, he covers more ground, but he does not dominate space-time.
“If you had started with Casemiro at 12, 13, 15 years old, then he would have that.”
The idea that the Brazilian had “issues” with all attributes other than speed is worrying considering he is now 32 years old and not as fast as he once was.
Of course, Xavi will respect the quality that Casemiro has (after all, he is a five-time Champions League winner), but he also said: “He is a good player for Real Madrid, I think he is a player with Madrid DNA , but it is No for Barcelona.
If Xavi were to try to implement the style he is used to at Barcelona at United, you might conclude that he would consider Casemiro out of his plans.
Casemiro responded to the original comments: “Everyone says what they want, but I’ve been here for four years and I’m approaching my fourth Champions League final.” I couldn’t sign for Barça because I can’t play football like Xavi wants. I am with Madrid until death.
‘As Xavi said, I don’t understand football and I can’t play. “I don’t have Barcelona football.”
A four-man delegation led by chief executive Omar Berrada flew to Barcelona last Thursday, fueling rumors that Xavi could be a contender for the United job.
Xavi Hernández (right) has been tipped as a candidate to be Man United’s head coach.
United’s Omar Berrada led a four-man delegation to Barcelona amid previous contacts with former Barca coach
The hierarchy is sticking with Erik ten Hag for now, but his grip on the role has been shaky.
However, United sources say a number of high-level meetings have been taking place in the Catalan capital recently because co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was there to support sailing team Ineos Britannia in their battle with New Zealand for the America’s Cup.
Ten Hag’s assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy would be an obvious short-term replacement, and Xavi has also made it clear that he does not want to return to training in Spain.
United sources maintain that Ten Hag remains their manager and the club has no plans to make any changes as they prepare to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.
United declined to comment on Tuesday, saying they refuse to speculate on the manager’s future.
The Dutchman has endured a difficult start to the season after keeping his job in the summer during a summit meeting with Ineos executives in Ibiza after United’s minority owners spoke to several potential replacements around the FA Cup final.
With Thomas Tuchel signing a deal to become England’s next manager on October 8, two days before Gareth Southgate ruled himself out of returning to the dugout for another year, the field would be even narrower if United were to drop Ten Hag now. .
In addition to Xavi, Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim and former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic could enter the race, although the former is widely considered to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.