Barcelona 'hold meeting' with potential Xavi replacement in London

Barcelona are reported to be meeting with Hansi Flick as uncertainty over who will lead the team next season continues amid speculation that Xavi could sensationally be sacked.

Xavi, having announced in January his intention to step down this summer, was persuaded to stay on for the final year of his contract, performing a remarkable U-turn in April.

Yet comments last week conceding that Barcelona are not in a position to challenge Real Madrid were reported to have angered president Joan Laporta, bringing the coach's future under scrutiny as the Camp Nou hierarchy prepare for talks with Xavi after the season has finished.

Barcelona already seem to be considering a future without him if their actions are anything to go by. ESPN were the first to report that sporting director Deco and football co-ordinator Bojan Krkic were travelling to London, and SPORT now add that the visit was to meet Flick and his agent, Pini Zahavi.

The topic on the table is set to be the possibility of Flick, who was among those linked with the Barcelona job before Xavi had changed his mind to stay on, joining the club in the event that a new manager is required. A decision on Xavi's future is likely to come after Monday's meeting with him.

Flick hasn't worked since September when he became the first coach in the history of Germany's national team to be sacked. But his prior spell at Bayern Munich delivered the Champions League.

Rafa Marquez, a former Barcelona player and current head coach of Barca B, is the other main contender in the frame. In the past, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have both managed the first-team following earlier stints with the junior side and the club have typically fared better in recent years with coaches who have a prior connection - like Guardiola and Enrique.

Xavi has been playing it cool since reports first surfaced that he could end up losing his job.

"I can't tell you more than that the club gives me peace of mind, and I have the same desire to face this season and the next. I can't say more. Nothing has changed," he said.

"I'm not interested in the stories. I see the information, but it doesn't interest me. The president's confidence is intact, and that of Deco. The media has to write and publish things. I am in permanent contact [with Laporta] and if we have to talk, we will talk."

READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP