Xavi is reportedly the leading candidate to take over the Morocco job just four months before the World Cup, though their manager is still in post.
The Spaniard has been unemployed since being sacked by Barcelona in 2024, just weeks after he had performed a dramatic U-turn to stay.
Multiple reports suggest that Morocco’s incumbent boss, Walid Regragui, is on the brink of leaving, though the North African nation has denied this twice.
‘The Royal Moroccan Football Federation denies the information circulating regarding its separation with coach Mr. Walid Regragui,’ a short statement read.
Regragui would be a tough act to follow and surely in-demand himself after leading Morocco to fourth in the 2022 World Cup and second in the recent African Cup of Nations.
But according to Marca, Morocco are ‘dreaming’ of appointing Xavi, who is eager to take on a major project.
Xavi is reportedly the leading candidate to take the Morocco job – though somebody is in post!
Walid Regragui is on the brink of going according to several reports, but Morocco have denied this twice with public statements
A potential stumbling block is that, according to the Spanish outlet, the legendary midfielder prefers to take on a project at the beginning, not mid-way through.
The Morocco job could prove tempting, though. They have been drawn in a group with Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti – one they will fancy themselves to advance from.
They still have some big names, including Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, and Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui.
Xavi is open to returning to management. Last March, speaking to France Football, via AS, he indicated that he would be open to another LaLiga job.
‘I don’t have anything established in my future, I have an open mind,’ he said. ‘Why not manage another La Liga side? I’m open to listening to offers. I’m looking for an exciting project and I have the ambition to win titles. That’s my goal.
‘I want my players to have fun, perform an attractive football style for their fans and finally to win trophies. I want to win the Champions League, the Euros, the World Cup.’
He would stand a decent chance of winning the latter two if he managed his home country, with whom he won the World Cup as a player in 2010 and the Euros in 2008 and 2012.
There is little chance of Xavi landing the Spain job any time soon. Luis de la Fuente recently extended his contract until 2028 and it would take a disaster at the World Cup to damage his stock after leading them to the European Championship crown in 2024.
The only available job for a side heading to the 2026 World Cup at the moment is the Curacao gig.
Dick Advocaat, 78, resigned days ago as he needs to take care of his sick daughter, meaning somebody else will need to take charge of the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.
Meanwhile, Xavi has previously stated that he would like to manage in the Premier League.
‘I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there,’ he once told The Athletic.
