The first steps to Xavi Hernandez’s return to Barcelona has taken place and it all started with a simple phone call.
According to Diario AS, talks between president Joan Laporta and the former club legend took place this past Monday with Laporta taking the initiative and reaching out.
Per the report, the conversation was a more personal one than professional but it was a long conversation and made it the first time they have spoken in about a year.
Xavi is one of the candidates to become the next Barcelona manager
In the conversation, Laporta updated Xavi on the club’s current situation, the team and about family matters. However, there was no talk about the possibility of Xavi becoming the next manager.
The phone call was more to make piece and open the door considering the two had not spoken in a while. Another Barcelona executive, Mateu Alemany, also spoke to Xavi recently.
While they may not directly have talked about the managerial position, the fact that they rekindled their relationship is a positive sign. Ronald Koeman’s job is hanging by a thread and a number of the potential replacements have jobs with their national teams or in a better situation with their current clubs.
Laporta is one of the few who is not entirely convinced by the idea of Xavi taking over, which stands in contrast with a large percentage of his board.
His doubts come from the belief that Xavi is still to inexperienced. In a perfect world, Xavi would come back and manage Barça B and then make the jump to the first team. According to Sport, that job is the one waiting for him should he return.
However, Xavi has made it quite clear that he does not see himself coaching the ‘B’ team as he sees it as a step down.
For now, Koeman remains the Barcelona manager but has a number of difficult games coming off the international break, which include Valencia, Dynamo Kyiv and Real Madrid. If the team puts in dismal displays and loses, that might be it for the Dutchman. Laporta could very well then make another call to Xavi and perhaps offer him the job.