Xavi's Man Utd job conditions revealed for permanent role with interim decision imminent

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Manchester United have been advised that the secret to luring ex-Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez into becoming their next full-time head coach lies in presenting a compelling project that aligns with his tactical vision.

United gave Ruben Amorim the boot last week and appointed Darren Fletcher as temporary boss . The 41-year-old has managed games against Burnley and Brighton in the Premier League and the FA Cup , respectively.

It's anticipated that an interim coach who will see out the rest of the season will be announced imminently , ahead of next Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was leading the race, but it is believed Michael Carrick is now the front runner for the position.

Following this, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will shift their focus to the next major decision - appointing a permanent United manager in time for the 2026/27 season.

Xavi - a key part of Barcelona's midfield during a trophy-laden period before clinching the 2022/23 La Liga title and 2023 Supercopa as manager - is one of the few globally recognised coaches currently unemployed. He departed Camp Nou in 2024, and his name has cropped up early in the speculation about who will take over at Old Trafford.

If this is to become a reality, Gaizka Mendieta, Xavi's former Spain and Barcelona team-mate, has outlined the conditions necessary to strike a deal.

In a chat with BOYLE Sports , Mendieta stated: "Xavi would definitely understand what a club like Manchester United needs in terms of the history and how the fans demand trophies.

"I think that's probably in line with Barca when he joined them. Knowing Xavi, I think what would be a priority though, is the project. It's a huge club, but he will need to see something that makes him really want to do it.

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"It's something that he needs to be excited about. He wouldn't join just because it's United, but because there's a project behind it. It needs to be a project that aligns with his idea of the football that he wants to put in place.

"He would not go just for the sake of being Man Utd manager, he would need to be given the tools he needs to play his type of football."

Recent reports from Spain suggest that Xavi might be open to joining United. Mendieta's remarks mirror those made by Xavi himself last year when asked if he'd fancy managing an English team.

"Of course? Where, I don't know," he responded. "There's no hurry for me, but I'd like a good project.

"Like, 'You have four years to work and make a project.' I'd love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it's too much about the result.

"Or a national team, that would appeal. When I dreamed about being a coach, I dreamed about being in a World Cup or European Championship."

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