
Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has been linked with a shock return to management with a huge European club.
Xavi, 45, parted company with Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season having failed to secure silverware since the clubās La Liga success a season earlier.
In January 2024, the former midfielder announced his intention to leave Barca at the end of the season.
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He was then persuaded to stay and reversed his decision in April of that year after ādiscussionsā with sporting director Deco and club president Joan Laporta according to The Athletic.
However, he was sacked 30 days later and replaced by Hansi Flick.
In December, he was linked with a move to AC Milan, with Catalan newspaper El Nacional reporting that the 45-year-old was in āadvanced talksā to become the Rossoneriās head coach but no such deal materialised.
Now, reports from French outlet LāEquipe claim that Juventus have āmade contactā with the Spaniard in ārecent hoursā as both parties look to begin āinformal discussionsā.

However, the clubās reason for the ādiscussionsā is far from straightforward, with Football Italia reporting that Juve ādonāt seem intentā on sacking current boss Thiago Motta.
Motta, 42, was appointed as the Turin-based clubās boss in the summer of 2024, after leading Bologna to a fifth-place finish in 2023/24 ā securing Champions League qualification.
As things stand, Juve sit fifth in Serie A having lost just once this season ā a 2-1 defeat against Napoli on Saturday. But have drawn 13 of their 22 league games this term.
Mottaās has the third-worst win record in the clubās history after 22 league fixtures with just eight wins in Serie A.
The 36-time Italian champions, also sit 17th in the 36-team Champions League group phase heading into matchday eight when they will face Benfica at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.
Topics:Ā Barcelona, Juventus, Xavi, Serie A, Champions League