Hong Myung-bo's successor turns out to be a Barcelona legend... Xavi expresses desire to participate in the Asian Cup: "My goal is not to coach a club team, but the national team"

*This content was translated by AI.

Spanish football legend Xavi Hernandez (46), former Barcelona manager, is being mentioned as a candidate for the next head coach of the South Korean national team.

Fabrizio Romano, well-versed in European football news, released an interview with Coach Xavi on the 18th (Korea time). Coach Xavi stated, "My next goal is to become a national team coach." He added, "Club teams leave little time to spend with family," and expressed his desire to "participate in international tournaments such as the World Cup, European Championship, Africa Cup of Nations, and Asian Cup."

Coach Xavi's stock remains high. Spanish media reported that top European clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, and AC Milan have explored signing him. While it remains uncertain whether Coach Xavi will actually choose an Asian national team amidst numerous bids from big clubs, his specific mention of the "Asian Cup" is noteworthy.

After South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Coach Hong Myung-bo resigned due to poor performance, and the Korean Football Association (KFA) is now searching for a new coach. Xavi's specific reference to the Asian Cup suggests that South Korea may also attempt to recruit him. During the dismissal of former coach Yurgen Klinsmann in 2024, Coach Xavi was also mentioned as a candidate for the next Korean national team coach.

Coach Xavi's strengths and weaknesses are clear. He has experience both as a player and a manager at Qatar's Al-Sadd, giving him a good understanding of the Asian football environment. His possession-based style of football, proven at Barcelona, also aligns with South Korea's tactical direction.

However, his lack of experience managing a national team is a weakness. Unlike club teams, national teams must implement detailed tactics and build organizational cohesion within limited training periods. Whether he can overcome the challenges of the national team environment after being accustomed to club training systems remains key.

Additionally, as a world-class manager commanding a high price tag, his potential salary could be a burden for the Football Association.

It is reported that several foreign coaches are currently showing interest in the South Korean national team head coach position. These include Javier Aguirre, who coached Lee Kang-in at Mallorca; Gus Poyet, who led Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors; and Paulo Bento, who guided Qatar to the 2022 World Cup Round of 16.

As the KFA accelerates its search for a new coach ahead of the 2027 Saudi Arabia Asian Cup, it remains to be seen whether Coach Xavi will join the final candidate pool.

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*This content was translated by AI.