CATALAN - Xavi Hernandez has distanced himself from the Barcelona managerial position but has made it clear that he will assess the offer, if it does arrive.

The pressure on Ronald Koeman is growing stronger after Barcelona's poor start to their La Liga and Champions League campaigns this season.

The Catalan club are currently ninth in La Liga, while their Champions League campaign started with two consecutive 3-0 defeats to Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Koeman's future has been in question since the start of the season, and although club president Joan Laporta has backed the Dutchman, it appears he will be substituted if poor results continue.

Xavi was touted as Barcelona's first choice to replace Koeman, but the Camp Nou legend seems content with his current position at Al Sadd.

The former Spain international has instilled in his former club's famous attacking style and led them to the title in 2021, without missing a single game.

Barcelona supporters will welcome their hero with open arms, but Xavi has indicated that while he is open to all possibilities he will assess the offer before making a decision on his future.

The Spaniard wants to ensure he leaves a legacy at the Middle Eastern club after first starring in them as a player before taking over as coach.

"Every offer will be appreciated and then decided," said Xavi, quoted from the IB Times, Tuesday (12/10). "I don't know where my future will take me, but I'm open to all possibilities," he added.

While Xavi remains Barcelona's top target, they are also looking at other potential candidates to take over from Koeman if the Dutch manager fails to contain the ongoing decline.

Among them are Belgium manager Roberto Martinez and former Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo, who is a surprising candidate due to his lack of experience at the top level.

Koeman is likely to be given a few more games after the ongoing international break to stake his claim to a long-term future at Camp Nou. The Dutchman could have Sergio Aguero and Ousmane Dembele back into the squad once they return to training.