By Michael Nsikan Richard – November 21st, 2025
Xavi Hernandez has been without a managerial position since departing Barcelona in May 2024, but recent developments suggest his highly anticipated return to coaching may be approaching.
The 45-year-old former Barcelona midfielder and coach has been deliberately selective about his next opportunity, having spent over 18 months on sabbatical while evaluating potential projects.
Current Status and Recent Development
Football Espana reports that Xavi has been out of work since leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2023-24 season andrecently knocked back an approach from Russian side Spartak Moscow.
His departure from Barcelona came after a tumultuous period where he initially announced in January 2024 that he would step down at season’s end, then reversed that decision in April after meetings with president Joan Laporta, only to be officially dismissed by the club in May 2024. Hansi Flick subsequently replaced him at Camp Nou.
Football Espana also reports further that the most significant recent development concerns Napoli.
The former Barcelona head coach is in contention to replace Antonio Conte at Napoli, though he is not the only candidate being considered, with ex-Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta also said to be of interest. This development emerged on November 19th,19th, 2025, making it the freshest opportunity on Xavi’s horizon.
Football Espana also reports that Napoli are only two points off the top of the Serie A table, but internal conflicts between Conte and the club’s hierarchy have led to suggestions that he could soon be sacked.
The situation presents an intriguing possibility for Xavi, particularly because Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has previously expressed admiration for his work, having referred to his Barcelona side as a genuine team back in 2023.
Xavi’s Strategic Approach and Preferences
Barca Blaugranes narrates that throughout his sabbatical, Xavi has demonstrated a patient and calculated approach to his career. He confirmed plans to return to management in the summer after taking a sabbatical from the game, stating that his goal as a coach is clear: he wants to win the Champions League, the Euros, and the World Cup. He has also emphasized that he has no preference for a specific country or league, remaining open to all possibilities.
Goal.com reveals that those close to him insist there’s no panic but just patience, as since May 2024, he has stayed active by holding regular meetings with his technical staff, analyzing game models, and studying potential teams that align with his ideals.
His rejections of various opportunities reflect both self-awareness and ambition, as he seeks a project offering autonomy, structure, and long-term growth rather than a short-lived fix.
beIN SPORTS reports that Xavi has expressed particular interest in the Premier League. He stated he would love to work in the Premier League because he loves the passion there, explaining that in Spain it’s all about results and that he’s looking for a club with a clear long-term vision, ideally a project where they tell him he has four years to work and develop something.
His Coaching Philosophy and Results, and Track Record
Barca Blaugranes narrates that Xavi’s coaching philosophy remains deeply rooted in the principles he learned under Johan Cruyff. His philosophy revolves around four principles: pressure, possession, positioning, and pleasure, to which he has added a fifth element: passion.
During his time at Barcelona from November 2021 to May 2024, he won La Liga in the 2022-23 season and the Spanish Super Cup, while also nurturing young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí.
Timeline and Expectations
While some earlier reports suggested Xavi might delay his return until 2026, the Napoli situation has potentially accelerated that timeline. The question now is whether Antonio Conte will indeed depart from Napoli in the coming weeks, which would create an immediate opening for Xavi to make his return.
If the Napoli opportunity materializes, it would mark Xavi’s first coaching experience outside of Spain and Qatar, where he previously managed Al-Sadd before joining Barcelona.
The situation remains fluid, with Xavi maintaining his deliberate approach while waiting for the right project that aligns with his ambitions and coaching philosophy. His next move will be closely watched throughout the football world, as one of the game’s most decorated midfielders seeks to establish himself among Europe’s elite coaches.Xavi Hernandez remains without a managerial position since departing Barcelona in May 2024, but recent developments suggest his highly anticipated return to coaching may be approaching.
The 45-year-old former Barcelona midfielder and coach has been deliberately selective about his next opportunity, having spent over 18 months on sabbatical while evaluating potential projects.
BREAKING: WOLVERHAMPTON SET TO APPOINT ROB EDWARDS AS NEW HEAD COACH
