Xavi’s stance on becoming Chelsea manager revealed | Football

Barcelona icon Xavi is reportedly ‘open’ to the prospect of taking charge as Chelsea head coach this summer.

Chelsea were quick to begin their search for a new manager after Liam Rosenior’s turbulent 107-day reign was brought to an end last month.

A miserable run of five straight defeats in the Premier League, without scoring a single goal, meant Rosenior’s position became impossible to defend, with the club’s Champions League hopes now seemingly dissipated.

Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane oversaw a 1-0 victory over Leeds to steer Chelsea into this year’s FA Cup final, having picked up the pieces on an interim basis last month.

But a heavy 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest served as a stark reminder of Chelsea’s desperate situation in the league – and Stamford Bridge bosses are eager to secure a deal for Rosenior’s permanent successor sooner rather than later.

Since Rosenior’s sacking, a host of high-profile names have been linked with the vacant position, including the likes of Xabi Alonso, Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fabregas and Andoni Iraola, who has confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season.

Xavi is also being strongly considered by Chelsea’s hierarchy and according to talkSPORT, the Club World Cup holders have made an initial approach for the 46-year-old Spaniard.

The legendary ex-Barcelona midfielder-turned-manager is said to be ‘open’ to the idea of leading Chelsea having been out of a job since his dismissal at the Camp Nou back in May 2024.

However, the report claims the Blues are ‘prioritising other candidates’ at this stage during what will be a ‘thorough recruitment process’.

Xavi steered Barca to La Liga glory in his first year as head coach, before Real Madrid stormed to the title the following season, finishing with a ten-point advantage at the top of the table.

In 2019, prior to his appointment at Barca, Xavi admitted he would relish the chance to manage a ‘big team’ like Chelsea in the Premier League.

‘Who doesn’t like the Premier League? The football atmosphere, the packed stadiums and the people who play in the Premier League say it’s extraordinary,’ he said.

‘Obviously if I had to choose, I would choose a big team, Manchester City or Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham.

‘Also, [Jurgen] Klopp and [Mauricio] Pochettino and Unai Emery, many people who have gone there are doing an extraordinary job.’

This weekend, managerless Chelsea will hope to bring their wretched six-match losing streak in the Premier League to a halt when they take to the field against the champions, Liverpool, at Anfield.

Squad morale will be likely be at an all-time low heading into the clash, though, with McFarlane bemoaning the side’s ‘unacceptable’ first-half showing against Forest on Monday.

‘Really disappointed with the performance, disappointed with the result,’ a dejected McFarlane told reporters.

‘I don’t think we ever got to our level today that we know we’re capable of. So yeah, naturally very disappointing.

‘I think the first 15 minutes was unacceptable. The manner in which the two goals were conceded has really set us back. It gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

‘You can’t do that at this level, especially against a team that’s fighting for their life. That was pretty much, for me, something that we need to address and improve.’

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