Next Barcelona manager odds: Club legend Xavi 1-5 to replace Ronald Koeman

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez is long odds-on favourite to replace Ronald Koeman in the Camp Nou hotseat after the Dutchman was sacked after Wednesday's defeat at Rayo Vallecano.

Xaxi, who came through the academy system at the club and spent the bulk of his playing career there, is just 1-5 to be the next Barcelona manager.

Koeman's exit after 14 months in charge of the Catalan giants was confirmed in a club statement after the 1-0 defeat at Rayo. It said: "The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him [Koeman] of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

"Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday."

Koeman won the Copa del Rey in his first season in charge but could only finished third in La Liga behind Madrid duo Atletico and Real.

Barca have endured a difficult start to the season after a tumultuous summer in which they were forced to wave goodbye to club icon Lionel Messi due to their ongoing financial difficulties.

They are ninth in La Liga having taken just 15 points from ten games, and lost their opening two group games in this season's Champions League.

Xavi is revered among Barcelona fans thanks to a glittering Camp Nou playing careerCredit: David Ramos

Expected replacement Xavi won every domestic honour available to him during a glittering playing career at Camp Nou before joining Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015.

He played for a further four years with the Qatari champions before taking over as manager prior to the 2019 season. Al Sadd finished third in his first year in charge but regained the title last season.

Barcelona have a history of handing the managerial reins to former players - Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Koeman all donned the famous blue and red stripes prior to becoming manager - so it is easy to see why Xavi is as short as 1-9 to get the gig with Betfair and Paddy Power.

If the World Cup winner does take over at the Camp Nou, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is next in the betting at 10-1. Should Barca decide to go Dutch again then Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is 16-1 while it's 20-1 bar those three with Manchester City boss Guardiola 50-1 for an emotional return to the Camp Nou.

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