Coach Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona
Local media reported that Xavi Hernandez, who led Spain's prestigious FC Barcelona, refused to take the post of head coach of the Korean national soccer team.
"A few weeks after deciding to leave Barcelona in January, Xavi was offered the Korean team (coach)."
He then claimed, "After Jurgen Klinsmann was replaced, he was offered a replacement, but Xavi refused, saying, 'Thank you for your interest.'
"I will no longer be in charge of Barcelona as of June 30," Xavi announced in a press conference after his home match against Villarreal in the 22nd round of the 2023-2024 Spanish Primera Liga on January 28.
After losing to Real Madrid in a SuperCoppa match in January and being knocked out by Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on January 25, he made the decision complaining of "mental fatigue."
But Xavi reversed his decision last month and said he had changed his mind to keep his head coach position until June next year, as he had previously signed.
However, the situation has changed rapidly again recently, jeopardizing the club's position.
Barcelona, who won the league under Xavi in the 2022-2023 season, finished second this season behind rival Real Madrid.
Xavi, who criticized the club by referring to the recent financial situation, appears to be at odds with Barcelona's leadership, raising the possibility of being dismissed for the last time this season.
Local media predict that Hanji Flick, who led the German national soccer team, will replace Xavi.
Xavi, a "legendary" who played 767 games for Barcelona during his active career and won 25 league and various competitions, made his debut as a coach in Al-Sad, Qatar in 2019 before taking the helm at Barcelona's call in 2021.
The Korea Football Association, which was said to be looking for a new national team coach within this month, appointed Kim Do-hoon as an interim head coach to lead the national team in the two second Asian qualifiers for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup in June.
This is the second appointment of a temporary coach after the A-match period in March when Hwang Sun-hong played.
The association said it made the decision because negotiations to select a national team coach are ongoing and there is a possibility that the appointment will not be completed by the A-match period in June. 토토사이트 순위
With coach Jesse Marsch, the first candidate, appointed as the head coach of the Canadian national team, the association seems to have yet to find a suitable next head coach.