Barcelona Should Hire Lionel Messi As Next Manager, Says Former Liverpool Midfielder

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi should be hired to replace Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona manager. That is the opinion of ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.

Lionel Messi has been hailed as an ideal candidate to replace Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona manager.

Xavi announced last week that he will stand down from the role at the end of the current season, after being in charge since November 2021.

Mikel Arteta, Rafael Marquez and Hansi Flick have all been cited as possible replacements for Xavi.

However, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Messi should be the no.1 choice.

Speaking on talkSPORT this week, Murphy said: "I'd give it to Messi. 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 is currently under contract with Inter Miami until the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

Lionel Messi would be an excellent choice as Barcelona's next manager, according to Danny Murphy :: Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports

He is not believed to be interested in taking Xavi's job, nor is he expected to be offered it.

However, Messi has previously spoken of his desire to eventually return to Barcelona.

Messi - who scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barca between 2004 and 2021 - had been keen to go back last year but the club could not afford to re-sign him.

Back in November 2021 when he was playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Messi told MARCA: "I always said that at some point I will return to Barcelona because it is my home and because I am going to live there.

"And obviously if I can contribute and help the club I would love to come back."

Messi eventually left PSG to join Miami in July 2023.

In his first season with the Herons, Messi produced 11 goals in five assists in 14 games.

Murphy played for Liverpool 249 times between 1997 and 2004. He also featured for Crewe, Charlton, Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn before retiring in 2013.