Barcelona legend urges the club to hire Jose Mourinho to replace Xavi despite history managing rivals Real Madrid… as he explains why he would be a ‘great signing ‘at the Nou Camp
- Jose Mourinho has been tipped to become Barcelona’s next manager
- A Barcelona legend called Mourinho ‘a winner’ and said he would be a good fit
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A Barcelona legend has urged the club to hire Jose Mourinho as their next manager to replace the outgoing Xavi. He stressed that he should not be overlooked just because he has managed rivals Real Madrid in the past.
Mourinho – a two-time Champions League winner – is looking for a new job after being sacked by Roma in January after one win in six, with club legend Daniele De Rossi replacing him.
Barcelona are also looking for a new coach following the news that Xavi would leave his position at the end of the season.
The Spanish giants’ only hope of achieving any success this season is the LaLiga title – and that looks slim with Real sitting eight points ahead of them with seven games to play.
And given Mourinho’s track record of success, the club’s legendary player Rivaldo believes he would be a ‘great signing’ at the Camp Nou as he raved about his record of silverware and called him ‘a winner’.
A Barcelona legend has urged the club to hire Jose Mourinho as their next manager
The club is looking for a new boss and Xavi will leave Camp Nou this summer
“There are many fans who do not accept players or coaches who have played for or managed their rival team,” he told Betfair via the sun. But Jose Mourinho has already been to Barcelona, with Sir Bobby Robson, and he is a great person.
‘Of course his intensity as a coach and his sometimes controversial attitude towards his own fans may cause concern from the start, but he is a winner.
‘Given the fact that he has no club and the situation at Barcelona, in my opinion at the moment it is easier for him to join the team than Guardiola. I think it would be a great signing for Barcelona, even if some fans don’t like the name.
‘Without a doubt he would do a great job. He knows the team, the Spanish league, the Champions League and has a lot of experience.’
Rivaldo believes ‘winner’ Mourinho would be a good fit despite his past at Real Madrid
However, he was not confident about the prospect of Pep Guardiola making a sensational return to Barcelona, having won three LaLiga titles, two Copa Del Reys and two Champions League titles during his four-year spell.
“I don’t see Guardiola going to Barcelona anytime soon,” he added.
‘I think the only realistic chance would be if he wants to move back home and enjoy more family life, which is easier for him in Barcelona, and at the same time be able to coach the team.
‘He is doing well in England and I think this return also depends on the financial situation of the club and whether they can bring in players for Guardiola.’
Rivaldo enjoyed his best years at Camp Nou, making 235 appearances for the club, more than any other club, and scoring 130 goals. He won four trophies during his five seasons there.
He is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He scored 377 times in 813 club games and 35 times in 74 international matches for his country, for whom he won the World Cup in 2002.
