"It looks like its gonna be him" - Jamie Carragher expects Manchester United to replace Ten Hag with 'next Guardiola'
Jamie Carragher thinks former Barcelona manager Xavi will likely replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. The Spaniard is one of the contenders to succeed the Dutchman who was sacked on Monday (October 28).
Xavi is available after parting ways with Barca in the summer, and he's long expressed his desire to coach in England. Reports claim United CEO Omar Berrada has recently held talks with the Spaniard about the Old Trafford job.
Carragher reckons Xavi is the man being eyed to take over at Manchester United. He told Sky Sports:
"It looks like they're talking to Xavi from Barcelona. I think he's the greatest Spanish player of all time. He's managed Barcelona, seen as this sort of 'next Pep Guardiola' at Barcelona. They always felt he was going to be, even as a player, a top manager."
Xavi spent three years at Barca, guiding the Catalans to the La Liga title in 2023. It was the first time the Blaugrana had won the title since 2019.
The Spaniard's second full season in charge wasn't as successful and his team missed out on the title to Real Madrid. He toyed with leaving Camp Nou but stayed put until the board made a U-turn and parted ways.
Carragher touched on this:
"He lost his job at Barcelona but he still won La Liga against a Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid. Yes, he's out of work at the moment which makes it easier, I think there's a link between someone on the board (Berrada). It looks like it's gonna be him."
Xavi enjoyed a trophy-laden career, finishing third in the Ballon d'Or rankings on two occasions. He was a Spanish playmaking gem who Carragher feels would garner the respect of Manchester United players:
"I'm not really quite sure what Man United can do right now. I don't think Xavi would be a bad appointment, he's got huge status as a player, doesn't make you a good manager but what it does is give you instant respect on the training ground with the players. He has been a manager of a huge football club."
Manchester United decided to sack Ten Hag with the team sitting 14th in the Premier League. They are 21st in their Europa League group standings and haven't won a game in European competition for a year.
"Very dangerous" - Marcus Rashford could benefit from Xavi appointment at Manchester United
Xavi's attacking philosophy was a hit at Barca, and many attackers flourished under his watch. One of those was Lamine Yamal, 17, whose development started under the Manchester United-linked coach.
Marcus Rashford is one of United's crops that experienced a dramatic dip in form under Ten Hag. He dazzled in the 2022-23 campaign, of which Xavi deemed him among Europe's danger men at the time (via Sky Sports):
"In the transition, he is very, very dangerous so, yes, we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford. He’s one of the most dangerous players now in Europe, yeah. He’s very fast, he has a very good at dribbling in one-versus-one."
Rashford, 26, netted a goal and an assist in United's 2-2 draw with Xavi's Barca in the Europa League in February 2023. He's started this season with four goals and three assists in 14 games across competitions.