Barcelona

Jose Mourinho 'offered to Barcelona by Jorge Mendes'

By Carter White | 30 January 2024

Jose Mourinho is reportedly open to being Xavi's successor at Barcelona, with the 61-year-old's agent Jorge Mendes offering his client to the Catalonians.

Jorge Mendes has reportedly offered Jose Mourinho to Barcelona, who are on the hunt for a new manager ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Current boss Xavi announced on Saturday evening that he has decided to leave the Catalan giants at the conclusion of the campaign, with his side well off the pace in the La Liga title race.

After being crowned as Spanish champions last term, Barca are fourth in the top-flight standings, 11 points behind surprise leaders Girona and 10 back from arch rivals Real Madrid.

Since taking the reins at Camp Nou from Ronald Koeman in October 2021, Xavi has managed 76 wins in 122 competitive matches, giving the Spaniard a 62% win percentage.

According to Spanish outlet ABC, Mourinho's agent Mendes has offered his client to Barcelona as their search for a successor to Xavi picks up pace.

Former Roma head coach Jose Mourinho on May 31, 2023 © Reuters

Barca's sporting director Deco is a fan of the 61-year-old manager, having won the Champions League with Porto under the Portuguese's tutelage in 2004.

Mendes and Deco are also reported to have a positive relationship, with the former being involved in a number of Barcelona's transfers in recent years.

Mourinho is searching for a new job after being sacked by Serie A outfit Roma earlier in the month, with the Giallorossi currently fifth in the Italian top flight.

The Portuguese manager guided Roma to their first-ever European trophy in the 2021-22 campaign, lifting the Europa Conference League after beating Dutch side Feyenoord in the final.

Roma forward Tammy Abraham with the Europa Conference League trophy on May 25, 2022. © Reuters

Having managed Real Madrid for a three-year period between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho is familiar to the Barcelona fans, who saw their side pipped to the La Liga crown by the 61-year-old's crop in 2012.

Along with being offered managers by agents, the Spanish champions are also said to be drawing up their own shortlist of options, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly representing a man of interest.

The German coach revealed his plans to leave Liverpool at the end of the season ahead of their 5-2 win over Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday, with the former Borussia Dortmund boss failing to rule out an immediate return to action outside of English football.

It has also been claimed that Barca have earmarked Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Germany's Julian Nagelsmann as potential arrivals in the dugout at Camp Nou.