Barcelona ‘in negotiations with Xavi’ after sacking Ronald Koeman

Barcelona are reportedly already deep in negotiations with legendary midfielder Xavi to replace Ronald Koeman as manager following the Dutchman’s sacking on Wednesday night.

Koeman was dismissed from his role after just over a year in charge after his side slumped to a 1-0 defeat against LaLiga new boys Rayo Vallecano, leaving the Nou Camp outfit a lowly ninth in the table. 

The result leaves Barca six points down on the top four, including fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Xavi (left) is the favourite to take over as Barcelona manager from Ronald Koeman

However, it appears the Dutchman’s reign as Barca boss was already set to end with the club having already opened talks with their former midfield star Xavi.

Xavi is currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Sadd, who he has managed for two years and joined as a player in 2015 after leaving Barca.

The 41-year-old would be a popular choice with fans having played 767 times for the club between 1998 and 2015, having previously come through their academy. 

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Xavi is keen on a Nou Camp return and negotiations over his homecoming started weeks ago and are set to continue today, including talks with Al-Sadd. 

Xavi is a Barcelona legend having helped them win multiple titles in his 17 years as a senior star

Koeman’s dismissal came as little surprise given Barcelona have suffered their worst start to a season since the 1987-88 campaign.

Having finished sixth that year, a similar season would leave them outside the Champions League and have catastrophic consequences for the club’s already fragile finances.

Koeman was fired on the flight back from a 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona had not lost against the small Madrid-based club for 19 years when Louis van Gaal was in charge.

The 1-0 defeat could have ended very differently had Memphis Depay not missed a penalty and Sergino Dest not blazed over from five yards out.

Koeman’s dismissal came following a 1-0 defeat at LaLiga new boys Rayo Vallecano

But that has been the story of Barcelona’s season. They have scored just one goal away from home and are yet to win on the road.

Things have been no better in Europe where Barcelona lost their first two group games for the first time in Champions League history.

Koeman’s sacking has been months in the making. The club’s president Joan Laporta openly admitted in the summer that the 58-year-old was remaining in charge because no acceptable alternative could be found.