Thiago Motta performed a miracle last season with Bologna by securing a spot in the Champions League, which earned him a call to Juventus. However, things aren’t exactly going smoothly for him in Turin. Far from a crisis, Juventus currently sits in fifth place after 22 rounds, still in contention for a Champions League spot. However, league leaders Napoli are a staggering 16 points ahead. At a club like Juventus, where championship ambitions persist despite financial and squad challenges, such a gap is considered unacceptable.🚨 BREAKING: Juventus have called Xavi to start informal discussions over taking the coaching role.— @lequipe pic.twitter.com/uyh54oGgLh— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 27, 2025 The last time Juventus won the Serie A title was in 2020, and with the Scudetto out of reach again this season, their drought will extend to at least five years. The former Italy international of Brazilian descent was brought in to change that, but not everyone at the club is convinced he can achieve the goal. According to the prestigious French outlet L’Équipe, citing sources from Italy, Juventus has already started contemplating potential replacements for Thiago Motta. Not only are they considering alternatives, but they have reportedly contacted Xavi Hernández regarding the position.Not even Kolo Muani could save Juve from Napoli’s brutal second-half stormThe former Barcelona legend has been without a managerial role since parting ways with the Catalan club last May. Despite the club’s turbulent atmosphere and financial troubles, Xavi managed to bring the La Liga title back to Camp Nou two seasons ago, but he was dismissed in May last year. The decision came as somewhat of a surprise. Initially, Xavi had announced his intention to step down at the end of the season, but he later changed his mind. However, when it became clear that Real Madrid would win the title, Barça president Joan Laporta publicly backed him, only to later reverse course and inform the club legend of his dismissal. Reportedly, Xavi’s comments about the club’s poor financial state and the likelihood of unmet transfer expectations offended Laporta, leading to his decision to appoint Hansi Flick instead.##NAJAVA_MECA_8666218##During his two-and-a-half years at the helm of his boyhood club, Xavi won a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup, while also nurturing young talents such as Gavi, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal. As a player, Xavi only represented Barcelona and Qatari side Al Sadd, where he also began his coaching career. If Juventus decides to appoint him in the future, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a completely new environment. Nevertheless, L’Équipe reports that Motta’s position isn’t yet in immediate jeopardy, and he still enjoys the trust of most of the club’s hierarchy. This means Xavi has some time to brush up on his Italian and prepare for a potential new challenge—taking over from his former Barcelona teammate.
