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8 months ago
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Barcelona will part ways with Xavi at the end of the season after the Spaniard announced his decision to leave as coach of the Catalan giants late in January after the loss to Villarreal at home.
While the Barça board want him to stay, there is little to no chance of him changing his decision now that they have been knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in the quarter-finals.
There have been several names on the list of replacements for Barcelona, including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto de Zerbi, Hansi Flick, Luis Enrique, and Julian Nagelsmann, among others.
However, it seems the job will fall to current Barça Atletic coach Rafael Marquez, who has the backing of President Joan Laporta.
Core coaching staff for next season
According to SPORT, four main aspects of Barcelona’s coaching staff for next season alongside Rafa Marquez are pretty much set in stone.
Current assistant manager of Barça Atletic, Albert Sanchez will take up the role of Marquez’s assistant with the senior team, as well. Juliano Belletti will also be promoted alongside him as the second assistant.
Full circle moment for 2006 UCL hero Belletti. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Marquez also intends to call up goalkeeping coach Unai Alba and physical trainer Marc Guitart to the senior team.
There will definitely be more people joining Marquez as a part of his team should he be promoted to the senior team, but it seems this quartet will almost definitely be a part of the eventual staff.
Marquez’s work with Barça Atletic
While it may seem like a shortcut signing, especially considering Barcelona’s finances, Marquez’s work with Barcelona Atletic has been tremendous, and cannot be ignored.
His side have won 17 of their 32 games this season, and are sitting second in the Primera Federacion, six points behind Deportivo La Coruna.
The side are on the verge of promotion for the first time since going up in 2016/17 before eventually finishing last and crashing back to the third division.
