Xavi Hernandez Turns Down Morocco's Offer to Coach at 2026 World Cup

Nearly two years have passed since Xavi Hernandez was succeeded by Hansi Flick as Barcelona's head coach. In the interim, the Spanish legend has received numerous job inquiries, with another significant offer surfacing recently.

Following his departure from Spotify Camp Nou, Xavi intentionally took a year-long sabbatical, choosing to rest after a demanding two-and-a-half-year spell as Barcelona's manager and dedicating valuable time to his family. Although he has been actively seeking a new position since last summer, he currently remains without a club.

Xavi has expressed a strong desire for his next coaching role to be with a Premier League club, indicating his current focus is exclusively on club football. He was recently presented with another opportunity to enter international management, but according to reports from Cadena SER, he has declined it.

In recent days, the Moroccan Football Federation formally accepted the resignation of Walid Regragui, who had led the national team since before the 2022 World Cup. The 50-year-old decided to step down following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Xavi was identified as their preferred candidate for the vacant managerial role, but he ultimately turned down their proposal.

Disagreement Over Coaching Staff Cited as Reason for Xavi's Rejection

Interestingly, the report indicates that a primary obstacle was Xavi's inability to reach an agreement with the Moroccan FA regarding his potential coaching staff. Xavi intended to bring his own assistant coach, analyst, and physical trainer to the national side, while the Federation stipulated that he would have to join without his personal team.

Consequently, Xavi decided to pass on Morocco's offer. He continues to prioritize a return to club football, although it is considered unlikely that he will make a move before the summer, when more coaching positions are expected to become available across various clubs.