Barcelona v Atletico Madrid: Joao Felix clashes with Lionel Messi
Barcelona want club legend Xavi to take over from Ernesto Valverde, with the Spanish boss on the brink at the Nou Camp. Xavi has been at Qatari side Al Sadd since last summer, having spent the majority of his playing career at Barcelona.
Barcelona want Xavi to replace Ernesto Valverde (Image: GETTY)
Spanish publication AS reports Barca have offered him a two-and-a-half year deal to take over from Valverde.
The reason they are choosing Xavi, the report claims, is because they want to find their own version of Zinedine Zidane.
The Real Madrid legend retired as a player before earning his stripes as a coach in the Madrid youth ranks, before leading the first-team to three Champions League titles.
And Barca are believed to be desperate to copy this model for success, and will give Xavi his first chance to manage a team in Europe.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
After the defeat against Atletico, Valverde admitted he knows his time could be up at the Nou Camp.
“Coaches always move with the idea of working hard and giving everything in every game,” he said.
“We know what football is like, that there is always permanent instability.
“When the results are bad or when you lose, as has happened tonight, I suppose we will talk about this and other things. It's inevitable but I will do my job.”