Following their elimination in the Clausura 2025 quarterfinals at the hands of Toluca, Rayados de Monterrey decided to part ways with head coach Martín Demichelis. The early exit sealed the fate of the Argentine manager, and the club's board, led by José Antonio 'Tato' Noriega, has already begun the search for a new coach ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup.

Among the most intriguing names being considered is Xavi Hernández, the former FC Barcelona manager, who is currently without a team after leaving the Catalan club at the end of last season. Although no formal talks have taken place yet, his strong relationship with Grupo FEMSA, along with ties to players like Sergio Canales, Sergio Ramos, and Héctor Moreno, make him a serious candidate for the Monterrey job.

Rayados aim high in search for new head coach

Xavi is not the only name linked to the Monterrey bench. Reports suggest several other coaches are being considered. One of them is Matías Almeyda, currently managing AEK Athens. Despite being under contract until 2028, rumors suggest he could leave the Greek side at the end of the season.

Another strong option is Domènec Torrent, who recently stepped down as head coach of Atlético de San Luis and is also being linked to Chivas. Martín Anselmi is also in the mix as a potential replacement for Demichelis.

Although the Rayados board has remained tight-lipped about the specific profile they're targeting, it's expected that formal negotiations will begin in the coming weeks. The goal is to have a new manager in place by the start of preseason at the end of May, with the 2025 Club World Cup in sight.

Whoever takes over will face a major challenge. Monterrey not only wants to shine internationally but also hopes to regain its status as a top contender in Liga MX. And while it may seem unlikely, the idea of seeing a coach like Xavi Hernández managing in Mexican football would be one of the biggest stories of the upcoming summer transfer window.