Xavi Hernandez has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over at Benfica, should Jose Mourinho leave the club to return to Real Madrid.
Portuguese media report that the Lisbon club’s leaders are preparing for a summer of bench moves and president Rui Costa wants to have alternatives ready if the situation suddenly changes.
Mourinho’s name has regained strength in Madrid, where Real Madrid’s leaders are looking for a coach with experience, personality and immediate impact.
If the Portuguese decides to return to the Santiago Bernabeu, Benfica will be forced to react quickly to find his successor.
In this scenario, Xavi is considered a very interesting profile for the Portuguese club.
The former Barcelona coach is currently free after leaving the Catalans and does not need to negotiate with any other club, which makes him an easier and more accessible option for Benfica.
The club’s management appreciates his playing style, possession philosophy and ability to develop young players.
At Benfica, it is believed that Xavi’s profile fits the team’s traditional identity, which has historically preferred coaches with offensive football and control of the game.
His experience at Barcelona, where he won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, as well as promoting several young talents, are considered strong points in his favor.
In addition to Xavi, the list of candidates for the Benfica bench also includes Thiago Motta, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva.
However, their situation seems more complicated, as current clubs are not willing to let them go easily.
For now, everything remains tied to Mourinho’s final decision.
If he returns to Real Madrid, Benfica is expected to immediately accelerate contacts for a new coach, while the name of Xavi Hernandez is gaining more and more ground as a serious alternative to the Portuguese club’s bench.
