Xavi's decision to bid farewell to the Camp Nou faithful came following Barcelona's recent stumbling form, notably with a disappointing 5-3 loss to Villarreal in La Liga over the weekend. The Catalan giants find themselves languishing in fourth place, a considerable 11 points adrift of the league summit.

A source of concern for the Barca faithful is the team's erratic performance, epitomized by a midweek exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, compounding their league woes.

With the club's focus now likely shifting to the Champions League as their primary avenue for silverware this season, discussions regarding Xavi's successor have swiftly ensued.

Among the names circulating in the rumour mill, Bayern's own Thomas Tuchel has emerged as a compelling candidate. Tuchel, known for his tactical prowess and adaptability, expressed his admiration for the Spanish footballing ethos during a recent Bayern club event, suggesting a potential allure to ply his trade in La Liga.

"Moving abroad would appeal to me again. Spain has an extraordinary league. From my perspective, and based on my experience working with Spaniards, they are characterized by a tremendous amount of self-confidence," remarked Tuchel.

While speculation abounds regarding Tuchel's future, particularly amidst scrutiny over Bayern's Bundesliga campaign, the Bavarians managed to narrow the gap to leaders Bayer Leverkusen with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Augsburg.

Tuchel's managerial journey has seen him traverse European football, from spells in France with Paris Saint-Germain to a triumphant tenure in England with Chelsea, where he clinched the Champions League crown.

The German tactician, who assumed the reins at Bayern in March of last year, remains committed to his current role until 2025, yet the allure of leading one of football's most storied clubs could prove irresistible amid Barcelona's search for a new steward to guide them into a new era.