Fabrizio Romano claims no talks took place between Xavi Hernandez and AIFF regarding coaching job

Overview

• AIFF had claimed that Xavi had applied for the Indian Head Coach Role through their statement
• However, Fabrizio Romano wrote on X that no talks took place between the two sides
• Spanish journalist Ferran Correas felt it was AIFF's trick to boost the role's profile

Popular Football journalists like Fabrizio Romano and Ferran Correas have claimed that Xavi Hernandez did not apply for the role of the Head Coach of the Indian Men's Senior Team. While AIFF claimed in their statement that they received an email from Xavi's account, Romano and Correas confirmed that neither AIFF nor Xavi spoke with each other about it.

Romano took to X and confirmed his observation based on AIFF's statement. On the other hand, Barca Times reported Correas' statement, which confirmed that people close to Xavi confirmed he never applied for the job. Ferran added that it could be a trick played by AIFF to boost the profile of the role.

Also Read: AIFF's statement claims to have rejected Xavi Hernandez as Indian Coach

"Despite recent reports, zero talks took place between Xavi Hernandez and the Indian Federation," wrote Fabrizio Romano on X.

"People close to Xavi insist that he never applied for the head coach position of the Indian NT. They believe the All India Football Federation intentionally used his name to boost the profile of the role during their search for a new manager," Barca Times reported as quoted by Ferran Correas.

Also Check: AIFF shortlists 3 candidates to be India's Head Coach

What did AIFF's statement claim about Xavi Hernandez?

AIFF released a statement after shortlisting three individuals for the Indian Coaching roles. When asked if Xavi had applied for the role, the statement claimed that the former FC Barcelona Manager had indeed applied for it through his email and seemed interested in the job.

However, it was added that the people in the Technical Committee found it challenging to get Xavi onboard due to the higher profile he possessed. AIFF's statement regarded Xavi to be among the greatest midfielders of all time and compared him to be in the league of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

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"Yes, he (Xavi) applied for the job of the Indian senior men's team football head coach. He has himself mailed his application to the people in the technical committee, and it looks like he was very much interested in the job," claimed AIFF's statement.

"However, those tasked with the responsibility of recommending the short-list of coaches to the executive committee for final approval federation knows that it's difficult. You understand that Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders of all time. People talk about Messi all the time, but he, along with Andres Iniesta, are right up there as far as Barcelona is concerned. So, yes, it is what it is," AIFF's statement added.