Gerardo Martino has stepped down as head coach of Inter Miami, and the club is now focusing on finding his replacement. One of the names that had been strongly linked to the position was Xavi Hernández, who is currently out of work after leaving Barcelona last summer. U.S. media reports had suggested that the Catalan coach was under consideration to lead the team into the 2025 MLS season, especially given his prior connections with several key players on the squad.
However, according to a report from the Spanish newspaper Sport, Inter Miami has not considered Xavi Hernández for the role. The club reportedly never entertained the idea of hiring him and has not made any contact with the coach or his representatives. The source further reveals that, despite Xavi’s familiarity with players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the club did not view him as a viable option for the job.
The Sport report clarifies that the main reason Xavi was not seriously considered by Inter Miami is his strained relationship with some of his former Barcelona teammates. Messi and Xavi always maintained a correct personal and professional relationship, but in recent years, it has reportedly cooled off. On the other hand, Xavi shares a strong bond with Busquets, having both been teammates and coached by him in the final phase of their Barcelona careers.
However, the situation with Jordi Alba is different, with Sport claiming that the relationship between Xavi and the left-back has deteriorated significantly. "With Jordi Alba, it’s difficult to mend a situation that, right now, is not just bad but has seen both personal and professional ties completely broken," the report adds.
While Xavi will not be joining Inter Miami, the club’s search for a new coach continues. The team is looking for a manager with whom Messi and the other star players can feel comfortable. In the meantime, Xavi will be taking a sabbatical year, allowing him to step away from the football scene before potentially returning to a coaching role in the future.
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