Will Xavi Hernández change his mind and stay on the bench? Barcelona fans are still clinging to this possibility, but the club’s leaders are not. At least that’s what insiders from the Catalan capital think.
“Barca have taken a big step in selecting a new first team coach,” claims Mundo Deportivo. “The bankruptcy was narrowed down to just three names: Luis Enrique, the current coach of Paris SG. Hansi Flick, former manager of Bayern Munich and the German national team. And Rafael Márquez, the coach of the third division Barcelona B team. Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel are no longer part of the plans of president Joan Laporta and sporting director Dec.
Let’s take it with a grain of salt because in football things change from minute to minute.
In any case, it would be a huge surprise if Xavi appeared on the Barcelona bench next season as well. Last September, he extended his contract until 2025, but in January he did not know where to go. After the embarrassing 3-5 home league defeat to Villarreal, he appeared devastated at the press conference and made it clear that he would be handing over the scepter to someone else in the summer. “The decision is final. I won’t stay even if we win the Champions League,” he emphasized.
Xavi was to emulate Pep Guardiola’s story. Years ago, club president Joan Laporta pulled him into the role of head coach of A after a year at B, and the bold move turned into a wonderful bingo. Guardiola made Messi and co. the best and most progressive team in the world.
Xavi couldn’t replicate it. He does not have Barcelona’s game under him
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