Rumours have recently swirled around football legend Xavi Hernandez and a potential move to manage the Indian national football team. However, Spanish reports have firmly denied these claims, labeling them as baseless. According to a Spanish report, Xavi did not apply for the India coach position, and the speculation appears to be a tactic by the Indian football federation to attract high-profile candidates.
The Rumor: Xavi Linked to India National Team
Speculation emerged suggesting that Xavi Hernandez, the former FC Barcelona midfielder and manager, had offered himself as a candidate to coach the Indian national football team. The rumor gained traction due to Xavi’s global reputation as a footballing icon and his successful stint as a manager at Barcelona and Al-Sadd. The idea of Xavi taking charge of an emerging football nation like India sparked excitement among fans and media alike.
However, these claims have now been categorically dismissed by sources close to the Spanish football legend.
‼️Sources close to Xavi completely deny that he offered himself to manage the Indian national team. ❌
They claim the Indian federation used his name to try and appeal to better candidates.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/qhNgG908CY
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 25, 2025
Spanish Reports Deny Xavi’s Involvement
According to a report by Sport, sources close to Xavi have completely refuted the idea that he applied for the India national team coaching job. The Sport article suggests that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) may have used Xavi’s name strategically to generate buzz and attract other high-calibre candidates for the vacant coaching position.
