La Computadora: Who is Xavi? Manchester United's new leading candidate to replace Sacked Ten Hag

Next stop Catalonia, Spain, for Manchester United's seemingly never-ending pursuit of an Erik ten Hag replacement. The Dutchman was sacked on Monday (October 28) after a 2-1 loss to West Ham United left the club 14th in the Premier League table.

Xavi is one of the heavy favorites to replace Ten Hag and take over. Red Devils' CEO Omar Berrada, formerly of Barcelona and Manchester City, has held talks with Xavi about the managerial job at Old Trafford, per Sky Sport Sacha Tavolieri.

This would be an intriguing appointment given Xavi's reign at Barca had its many highs and its many lows. We delve into the Spaniard, what he could offer United and influences on his coaching career.

Who is Xavi, the new favorite to become Manchester United manager

Xavi's rise to footballing superstardom

Xavi was born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia and is a product of the club's esteemed La Masia academy. Intriguingly he was inspired by English football growing up, a fan of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton legends John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne and Matt Le Tissier.

The 44-year-old became one, if not, the greatest midfielders in Barca's history during his playing days. A stylish playmaker with remarkable vision and excellent commanding abilities, gifting him the nickname La Computadora (the Puppet Master).

Xavi made 767 club appearances, scoring 85 goals and 184 assists and earned 133 caps for Spain posting 12 goals and 24 assists. He won 25 major trophies with Barca as a player including four UEFA Champions League trophies. The Spaniard relatively ranked in the Ballon d'Or race, including his highest third-place finishes in 2010 and 2011.

The Spanish icon won the FIFA World Cup with La Roja in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He was a slick ball-playing midfielder with club and country and retired with Qatari giants Al-Sadd.

Managerial magic and madness

Xavi immediately got to work in coaching once he retired and became Al-Sadd's first-team coach in July 2019. He adopted a 4-3-3 formation at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and steered the Qatari outfit to the title and five cups during his tenure.

Barcelona came calling in late 2021 after parting ways with Ronald Koeman. It was a risky appointment for all parties given Xavi was just getting started in his managerial career.

Xavi took an approach that centred on reinstalling a fighting mentality at Camp Nou and had his players playing for the badge. His first full season in charge resulted in a La Liga triumph, doing so by finishing 10 points above Real Madrid.

However, the wheels fell off last season amid growing issues between Xavi and the Barca hierarchy. He recieved little support in the transfer market amid enomomic issues but his team also showed regression, not least the inconsistency of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.

Xavi announced his decision to stay after initlaly looking likely to depart when the season drew to a close. Club president Joan Laporta and director Deco enticed the Spaniard to remain but a month later he was dismissed.

Positives and Negatives of a Xavi appointment at Manchester United

Xavi could be a long-term appointment and one that goes hand-in-hand with INEOS' goal of building for the future. The onus isn't on a Ten Hag successor immediately taking Manchester United back to the top of English football.

Yet, Xavi did just that at Barca in his first full season in charge, winning the La Liga title against a rampant Madrid side. He also implemented an attractive style of play, with a 4-3-3 formation that saw Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong impress in midfield.

There is also his development of young talent, particualrly Lamine Yamal, who has become one of Europe's greatest young attackers. The 17-year-old got his senior team break under Xavi and has since been talked up as a future Ballon d'Or winner.

On the flipside, there are arguments to be had over Xavi being the right man for Manchester United. He comes with a repuation of finding high-pressure situations difficult to deal with and also might not be too interested in the limelight that comes when coaching in the UK.

Xavi also has no experience coaching or playing in Europe outside of Barca. He knew the club inside out when returning to Camp Nou as a manager. He'll have to gain an understanding of British footballing culture, it's demands and how to appease the media and fans.

Red Devil Armada Verdict

Xavi is one of a few names that have been linked with the Manchester United job who have the resume to replace Ten Hag. It's an appointment that would allow INEOS to take their rebuild in a new direction with a young manager who will want to be given time and he'd be afforded that. He's also spoken openly about his admiration for the club and was an admirer of Marcus Rashford. It feels a good project for both parties if he were to be the next manager of the Red Devils.