Earlier this year, Xavi Hernandez made the announcement of his departure from the club, leading Barcelona to narrow down their search for a new manager to two final options.
Joan Laporta and his team have been actively seeking a successor for the departing club icon. Despite initial links with several candidates like Julian Nagelsmann, Hansi Flick, Roberto De Zerbi, and Ruben Amorim, the search has now been narrowed down to two choices. According to SPORT, the options are either promoting Barca Atletic manager Rafa Marquez to the first team or convincing Xavi to reconsider his decision to leave the Catalan side this summer.
Why Xavi
Barcelona’s well-documented financial troubles have led President Laporta and sporting director Deco to explore ways to persuade Xavi to extend his stay at the club for another season. Xavi, who joined during a period of financial hardship for Barcelona, reportedly accepted a significantly reduced salary compared to previous managers. This move not only eases the club’s financial burden but also aligns with Laporta’s strategy of having a Barcelona legend lead the team, reminiscent of his successful approach during his first tenure. Additionally, despite the current season’s struggles, Xavi’s track record, including a previous league title win, suggests he has the potential to orchestrate a turnaround.
Why Marque
According to SPORT, Marquez is being seen as the alternative choice due to his close ties with Laporta and Deco, as well as his familiarity with Barca Atletic and the club’s emphasis on promoting youth players. Another factor is Marquez’s willingness to accept a modest salary, similar to Xavi’s. Furthermore, his agent, Jorge Mendes, who shares a good relationship with Laporta, could facilitate contractual negotiations for the transition to the first team.
On Monday morning, Laporta was seen at the Barcelona training facility, just before the commencement of the first team’s final training session before the Paris Saint-Germain match. The 61-year-old approached the coaching staff and exchanged embraces with them. This gesture could be interpreted as Laporta’s attempt to rebuild Xavi’s trust in order to persuade him to remain at the club. Alternatively, it could also be viewed as a gesture of appreciation towards the coaching staff for their hard work ahead of the crucial upcoming match.
The primary choice for the club is to keep Xavi beyond this summer, and the upcoming weeks may heavily influence his decision. Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Xavi has denied any possibility of staying. Barcelona’s next match is against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, April 16, in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
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