With the 2023-24 season entering into its final few weeks, Xavi Hernandez is also reaching the end of his stint as FC Barcelona manager. Xavi, who took charge of the club back in 2021, announced back in January that he would leave the club at the end of this season. While there have been talks of urging Xavi to reverse his decision, the first internal talks were held earlier today.
It has been a disappointing season for Xavi Hernandez‘s FC Barcelona after a string of poor results. Xavi would most likely not be able to defend the league title and his side has also been knocked out of the Champions League. The Catalan club was also knocked out of the Copa del Rey earlier this year and was defeated in the Spanish Super Cup by arch-rivals Real Madrid.
🚨🔵🔴 After internal talks today, Xavi and Barcelona have still no agreement to continue together.
Laporta insists to keep him but remains strong possibility for Xavi to leave the club at the end of the season with Barça now considering other candidates.
Final decision, soon. pic.twitter.com/4afpQQwuYU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2024
Despite the poor results, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta appears to be satisfied with Xavi’s stint at the club. Laporta has admitted that he wants the Spaniard to continue as the club’s manager. As reported by the Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the first talks about Xavi’s future, if any, at the club was held. The club president continues to be optimistic about Xavi’s extension at the club.
However, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, the club is also looking beyond Xavi. The reports suggest that the club is ready to explore options and thinking about potential managers who could replace the former FC Barcelona skipper. While it has been reported that the final decision will be announced soon, the fans will be growing desperate with anticipation about who will take charge of the club next season.
FC Barcelona want their former star to replace Xavi
While FC Barcelona continues to ponder about Xavi Hernandez’s future, there is the possibility that another former player could replace Xavi. The former player is none other than Mexican soccer icon Rafa Marquez. Marquez played for the Catalan giants between 2003 to 2010 and a multitude of trophies, including three league titles, two Champions League, and one UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup title.
The 45-year-old Mexican former international is now the coach of FC Barcelona’s B side who are currently competing for promotion to La Liga’s second division. Marquez has been zeroed down as the perfect replacement for Xavi since he has history at the club, knows the club’s values and legacy, and his management style embodies the club’s typical ‘tiki-taka’ that has brought them so much success.
🎙️ Gerard Romero: “If Xavi leaves, Rafa Marquez is not a priority and the club will look for other solutions. Yes, the club says he is an option, but not a priority.” pic.twitter.com/PZcyoKUHU1
— infosfcb 𝕏 (@infosfcb) April 24, 2024
Additionally, coaches like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique started their management careers at FC Barcelona’s B team. Interestingly, Guardiola and Enrique remain the last two managers who won the UEFA Champions League with the club’s senior team. While some may call it superstition, perhaps Rafa Marquez also manages to emulate the success of Guardiola and Enrique and end FC Barcelona’s nine-year-long wait for the Champions League title.
FC Barcelona have reportedly rejected Hansi Flick despite his efforts
When Xavi Hernandez initially announced his intention to leave the club after the end of this season, Hansi Flick’s name was one of the firsts that had come up to replace the former. Former FC Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has been named as a viable option that Barcelona might turn to after Xavi’s departure. A serial winner no less, Flick has won multiple trophies in 28 years of management experience.
With Bayern Munich, Flick has won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFB-Supercup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. Flick’s team became only the second club after FC Barcelona to achieve the rare feat of winning the ‘sextuple‘. Interestingly, Flick’s Bayern Munich handed FC Barcelona one of their heaviest-ever defeats, the shambolic 8-2 loss to the German giants back in 2020.
🚨🚨🌕| BREAKING: Hansi Flick is still not giving up on his dream to join FC Barcelona — he was even learning Spanish, he will wait for the club, despite it being increasingly clearer that Xavi’s replacement will be Rafa Marquez. @RogerTorello pic.twitter.com/vmwoyEqRdR
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) April 18, 2024
Flick was also briefly in charge of the German national team but failed to achieve any major success. It was reported that Flick was also very keen to coach the Spanish side and was reportedly even taking Spanish lessons. However, with the club allegedly preferring Rafa Marquez over Flick, it appears as if the 59-year-old coach’s Spanish lessons have been all in vain.