90min

Barcelona eye sensational rehiring of Champions League winner in 2025 - report

  • Luis Enrique considered by Barcelona should Xavi not extend contract beyond 2025
  • Legendary midfielder recently performed U-turn on quit decision in order to stay in charge
  • Barcelona tasted Champions League glory under Enrique's management in 2015

By Toby Cudworth

Xavi Hernandez recently performed a U-turn but is expected to leave in 2025
Xavi Hernandez recently performed a U-turn but is expected to leave in 2025 / Eric Alonso/GettyImages
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Barcelona are considering rehiring former Champions League winning manager Luis Enrique in 2025, should Xavi Hernandez fail to extend his contract, reports in Spain claim.

Enrique led Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2014/15, in what was his first season in charge of the Catalan giants. He also won two La Liga titles and three successive Copa del Rey during his three-year tenure, also winning the Super Cup and Club World Cup.

The 54-year-old opted to leave Barcelona at the end of his contract in 2017 before taking on the Spanish national team job, and is currently in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Enrique tasted disappointment on Tuesday night as PSG were eliminated in the semi-finals of this season's Champions League, but his work in the French capital - which saw his side knock out Barcelona in the last eight - has seemingly piqued the interest of his former employers.

Spanish publication SPORT state that one eye is being kept on Enrique as Barcelona make contingency plans in case Xavi, whose contract runs until the summer of 2025, does not stay on as head coach.

The legendary former midfielder was due to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after announcing in January that being the club's boss was a "cruel, unpleasant" experience and a "terrible drain on your mental health."

Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique managed Barcelona for three years between 2014 and 2017 / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

But following an uptick in results, as well as receiving significant backing from Barcelona's supporters, Xavi eventually reneged on his decision - having spent months denying that he would - and highlighted "trust" from president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco as key components in changing his mind.

He also failed to rule out signing a contract extension at Barcelona, though it remains to be seen whether or not a new deal would be offered if the club fail to wrestle back their recently lost La Liga crown from Real Madrid.

Enrique's contract at PSG also runs out next summer after he signed a two-year contract to replace Christophe Galtier in July 2023.

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