Manager of Barcelona Xavi Hernandez announced at the end of January that he will leave the club this summer, but could have options not to leave the management.
Xavi's departure remains somewhat up in the air, with Sporting Deco Director and President Joan Laporta refusing to rule out the possibility of him staying out this summer. Xavi is adamant that he is leaving – “at this point in time, nothing has changed”. He also said that he would not take another job in the summer, instead preferring a sabbatical next year. He also said that he wanted to take his children to the pre-season curtain the Joan Gamper trophy, and relax with his family.
According to HITC, Chelsea and Newcastle United consider him among their candidates for possible vacancies this summer. Ruben Amorim has been linked with the Chelsea work, and Roberto Mancini with the Newcastle position, but both Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe are under pressure as the summer approaches.
It seems highly unlikely that Xavi will jump to another job immediately after Barcelona. He feels a special connection with the Blaugrana, but has spoken of “owing” to his family to spend more time with them later. He has also worked more or less solidly since his retirement, immediately moving to management at Al-Sadd in Qatar, albeit in a more relaxed environment.
