Xavi could face an awkward reunion with a Manchester United star when he takes over at Old Trafford following some critical comments he made years ago.
Mail Sport revealed that the intermediaries have been in contact with the former Barcelona star and manager twice in recent months.
Erik ten Hag’s position is constantly monitored, but he guided United to a much-needed 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
Xavi led Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2022/23, but that will be no comfort for Casemiro, who was once criticized by the Spaniard in 2018.
‘Madrid falls apart, seven players attack and Casemiro is left alone to cover the centre. [Barca midfielder Sergio] Busquets can’t do that, because even I’m faster than him. Casemiro is super fast, but he struggles with everything else because he hasn’t worked on it,” Xavi told El Pais.
Xavi could face a difficult reunion with Casemiro if he eventually becomes manager of Manchester United
In 2018, he suggested that Casemiro had ‘problems’ with most things other than pace and would not suit his playing style
Casemiro admitted he ‘can’t play the football Xavi wants’ but was fine with his success in Madrid
‘He has different characteristics, is more defensive, makes more tackles, covers more ground, but he doesn’t dominate space-time.
“If you had started with Casemiro at 12, 13, 15, he would have had that.”
The idea that the Brazilian had ‘problems’ with every attribute except speed is worrying considering he is now 32 and not as fast as he once was.
Of course, not for Barcelona.’
If Xavi were to try to implement the style he is used to at Barcelona at United, it could follow that he would consider Casemiro out of his plans.
Casemiro returned to the original comments: ‘Everyone says what they want, but I have been here for four years and on my way to my fourth Champions League final. I couldn’t sign for Barça because I can’t play football the way Xavi wants. I’m with Madrid to death.
‘As Xavi said: I don’t understand football and I can’t play for it. I don’t have Barcelona football.’
A four-man delegation led by CEO Omar Berrada flew to Barcelona last Thursday, sparking rumors that Xavi could be a contender for the United job.
Xavi Hernandez (right) has been identified as a contender to become head coach of Man United
United’s Omar Berrada led a four-man delegation to Barcelona during previous contact with the former Barcelona manager
The hierarchy remains with Erik ten Hag for the time being, but his grip on the role is shaky
However, United sources say a number of high-level meetings have recently taken place in the Catalan capital as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was there to support the Ineos Britannia sailing team in their battle with New Zealand for the America’s Cup.
Ten Hag’s assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy would be an obvious short-term replacement – and Xavi has also made it clear he does not want to coach in Spain again.
United sources claim Ten Hag remains their manager and the club has no plans to make any changes as he prepares to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.
United declined to comment on Tuesday, saying they refuse to engage in speculation about the manager’s future.
The Dutchman has had a difficult start to the season after keeping his job in the summer during a summit with Ineos executives in Ibiza after United’s minority owners spoke to a number of potential replacements around the FA Cup final .
With Thomas Tuchel signing a contract to become the next England boss on October 8, two days before Gareth Southgate rules himself out of a return to the dugout for another year, the field would be even smaller if United were to beat Ten Hag now .
In addition to Xavi, Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim and ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic could be in contention, although the former is widely tipped to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
