Barcelona told to hire Lionel Messi as manager to replace outgoing Xavi

Barcelona should appoint Lionel Messi to replace Xavi as head coach next season, according to talkSPORT’s Danny Murphy.

Xavi announced on Saturday that he is to step down as head coach at the end of the season after Barcelona continued their stuttering title defence.

A 5-3 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday left the Catalan giants in fourth place in La Liga – 11-points adrift of leaders Girona.

Defeat to Athletic Club Bilbao in the Copa del Rey last week coupled with a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, had heaped further pressure on the 44-year-old.

His announcement to leave the post as Barcelona boss immediately ramped up speculation on the identity of his successor.

Mikel Arteta’s name was thrown into the hat after reports from Spain suggested he had informed Arsenal of his intention to quit the club at the end of the season.

Arsenal quickly shut down the speculation as did Arteta who slammed the ‘upsetting’ rumours, labelling them as ‘fake news’.

With Barca chiefs beginning to turn their attention to next season, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes one man stands out above all others.

“I’d give it to Messi,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “The fans are on board straight away. Everything he touches turns to gold. He was put on this earth to do amazing things. It’s not going to stop in management.”

Messi has never hidden his love for Barcelona and admitted he hoped for a return to the club in a playing capacity after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The 36-year-old revealed last year that he has no intention of going into management but could be tempted to stay in football in a different role altogether.

"I don't really intend to be a coach, but [former Real Madrid coach Zinedine] Zidane said exactly that and after that, he became a coach and won the Champions League 3 times," Messi told Star+. "I like sporting director, team building, and accompanying coaches but I'm not entirely sure either."

The Argentine is currently gearing up with club side Inter Miami ahead of the start of the MLS season next month.

Messi has his eyes set on another historic year with club and country with Inter Miami expected to challenge for honours this season.

Mid-way through the campaign Messi will lead Argentina in what could be his final Copa America as Lionel Scaloni’s men look to retain the trophy they won in 2021.