Three candidates to replace Xavi at Barcelona as Laporta greenlights search for new manager

According to journalist Javier Miguel from AS, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has decided to search for a new coach. This decision comes because he is unhappy with Xavi and the things he has said about the club’s finances.

The journalist mentioned that the club is looking at three possible candidates for the coaching job. 

These candidates are Rafa Marquez, Hansi Flick, and Sergio Conceicao. It is to be noted that Flick is currently not with any club, despite some rumours that he might go back to Bayern Munich. 

Meanwhile, Marquez is doing well with the Barcelona youth team, as he is close to getting the team promoted to the Second Division.

Why the sudden change in plan?

The reason for this big decision was the huge anger the president felt after hearing Xavi’s statements during a press conference. 

Xavi talked about the club’s lack of money for important deals and the need to strengthen the team “if we do not want everything to stay the same.” He said it would be very hard to compete “against Real Madrid and also in Europe.”

According to the club, Xavi had said something entirely different at Laporta’s house a few weeks ago. 

Hansi Flick is once again on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

He had expressed full confidence in the team and the resources that could be gained with some adjustments. This change in the message made the club leader so angry that he decided not to go with the team to Almeria.

What now for Barcelona?

His closest advisors are telling Laporta that the team needs a coach who can bring new ideas, energy, ambition, and optimism. Right now, they believe Xavi does not have these qualities.

Because of this, Deco made a sudden trip to Portugal. Officially, it was for personal reasons, but he reportedly had Conceicao, the coach of FC Porto, in mind.

It is worth mentioning that the club president and Deco were expected to travel with the team for the Almeria match. 

However, only the sports vice president, Rafa Yuste, and a member of the Sports Commission, Joan Soler, went instead. Interestingly, they did not comment on Xavi’s future.

Right now, what is becoming clear is that Xavi’s position is at risk, even if he manages to secure second place in the league.