Former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández is being increasingly linked with a return to the managerial hotseat, with Serie A champions Napoli.
This comes amid mounting reports that Antonio Conte could soon be sent on his way by the Partenopei.
Just months on from leading Napoli to a historic Italian top-flight title, the ever-controversial Conte finds himself under serious pressure.
Amid a run of just two wins from their last seven, a stretch including an alarming 6-2 Champions League drubbing at the hands of PSV Eindhoven, the board at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona are understood to be considering a change.
With as much in mind, the names of two tacticians have quickly come to the fore as potential Conte successors.
Alongside ex-Juventus boss Thiago Motta, the aforementioned Xavi is viewed as a leading contender to step in in Naples.
As per a report from Diario Sport, despite Aurelio De Laurentiis doing his utmost to back Conte, speculation linking the Spaniard with the post continues to mount.
Xavi has for his part turned down a whole host of opportunities to return to management since parting ways with Barcelona last year.
It now remains to be seen if he could be tempted by the prospect of a move to Italy.
Conor Laird – GSFN
