Former Barcelona boss Xavi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola linked to shock new job - but there's a huge twist
Updated 26/07/2025 at 19:59 GMT+1
Xavi is not heading back to Asia anytime soon, with recent reports linking the Spaniard with the India job now having been put to bed. The prospect of the 45-year-old going from Barcelona to Bangalore simply proved to be the subject of someone's particularly vivid imagination. He remains out of work for now, and India's quest to fill their vacant managerial position continues.
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Xavi is on the lookout for his next job in management, and if recent reports were to be believed, it could have taken him to an unlikely destination.
The Spaniard has been out of work since being sacked by Barcelona in May 2024, following an underwhelming campaign by the Catalans’ lofty standards.
They finished second in the Liga table, 10 points adrift of Real Madrid, and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
One would have expected the 45-year-old to be touted for another job closer to home in Europe, but some rather creative pranksters had other ideas.
It has since been revealed that Xavi’s name - and that of current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola - was put forward for the India job.
This was revealed in a report by Reuters, which claimed that the two former Barcelona stars were supposedly on a list of applicants for the job.
The All India Football Federation's team director told The Times of India that Xavi's name was on the list of applicants on Thursday.
However, that same report did not reveal Pep Guardiola’s name, which has since come to light in a statement released by the AIFF.
They have been forced into a climbdown, declaring "the email applications were not genuine."
It read as follows: "The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine."
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Xavi’s compatriot, Manolo Marquez, most recently held the position before deciding to leave the role earlier this month and return to Indian Super League side, FC Goa.
Meanwhile, Xavi has previously managed in Asian football after spending two years in charge of Qatari side, Al Sadd.
It was a largely successful spell in the Middle East, after leading the side to one Qatari title, two Qatari League Cups, two Qatari Cups, and one Qatari Stars Cup.
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