Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has been the facing a lot of criticism for his team’s horror start to the season. Barcelona have already lost a few matches too many in the season so far and the pressure on Ernesto Valverde is mounting with every match. Reports are now claiming that Lionel Messi wants Valverde out of the team and has even suggested a name as his replacement.
As per Spanish media outlet Diario Gol, Barca star forward Lionel Messi has asked the team to remove Ernesto Valverde from the club as manager. Meanwhile, reports also add that Lionel Messi wants to get Valverde replaced by Xavi Hernandez.
Xavi has already proven his skills as a player for Barcelona and has been a former teammate of Messi. Seeing his team in trouble, Messi wants his former teammate to take charge of the team and help change Barcelona’s fortunes.
Notably, Xavi is currently coaching Qatar club Al Sadd. He had finished his playing career with the same team. However, it is expected that Xavi will return to Barcelona sooner or later because he knows the club inside out.
Xavi is also a widely respected figure at Barcelona. Former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o even went on record saying that he might kill Xavi if he does not coach Barcelona in his coaching career.
“He is the boss in Qatar and in Spain,” Eto’o was quoted as saying by Fox Sports Asia.
“If he doesn’t end up coaching Barca, I’ll kill him!” he had said.
However, any decision to appoint Xavi as the new manager will only be processed after December since his present side Al Sadd are featuring in the semifinals of the AFC Champions League.