Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has reportedly rejected the chance to return to management in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga side are in the hunt for a new manager after sacking Erik ten Hag after just two league games and 62 days in charge of the club.
Leverkusen promptly got on the phone to Xavi after parting company with Ten Hag but were swiftly turned down by the former Barca boss, according to Marca.
Xavi said earlier this summer he’d love to return to work but was apparently not
too keen on heading to Leverkusen and rejected the opportunity.
The 45-year-old thought it wasn’t the right time, while the report also claims the club’s current turbulence is also likely to have played a part in his decision making.
Leverkusen lost key players such as Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka over the summer. The early dismissal of Ten Hag is also not a good look and came amid reports that the Dutchman’s behaviour and decision-making has not gone down well at the club.
The Bundesliga club will now have to look elsewhere, while Xavi will wait for further offers. He has said previously he’d like to work in the Premier League and is looking for a “good project.”
