FOOTBALL
Five contenders to replace Xavi Hernandez in FC Barcelona as managers
Xavi Hernandez has announced his ongoing season with FC Barcelona as his last assignment with the club. The loss in the La Liga against Villarreal was a huge blow for the club and the manager. For the 1st time since 1963, Barcelona lost a match by conceding five or more goals. After the loss, Xavi announced that he would step down as the coach of the club on the 30th of June.
“On June 30, I will leave the club. It’s a decision I have taken with the president, with the staff. The feeling of being Barca coach is cruel, and unpleasant, it feels like people lack respect for you a lot of the time. I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense,” said Xavi after the match. It seems like Barcelona would be looking for a change in personnel.
After the loss, Xavi thought that there needed to be a change in dynamics in the way Barcelona plays. “I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense,” added Xavi in his statement. With a big change in leadership and dynamics being expected.
Here are the five contenders to replace Xavi Hernandez in FC Barcelona as managers:
5. Michel
Michel (Source: X)
Michel has been leading Girona well. In the 2023/24 season, the club has performed well. In the La Liga bid, he is one of the topmost contenders. His style of managing the players might exactly be the change referred to by Xavi in the interview. The Spaniard has been impressive as a coach. Girona defeated Barcelona themselves in the La Liga.
4. Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta (Source: X)
Thiago Motta has done well as a manager in Bologna. Barca has a history of backing those who are relatively unfamiliar. Motta was a player in Barcelona for eight long years. On the pitch, Thiago is regarded as a shrewd tactician. Once he was considered not so good as a coach for his tactics, which have helped him to succeed.
3. Imanol Alguacil
Imanol Alguacil (Source: X)
Imanol Alguacil has led Real Sociedad well in the Champions League. Spain has got good leadership in recent times. Imanol can be a good candidate to replace Xavi. In 2021, Imanol helped Real Sociedad to win their first major title since 1987. In the following season in 2022/23, the club achieved the highest tally of points in La Liga since 2009/10.
2. Rafael Marquez
Rafael Marquez (Source: X)
Rafael Marquez has worked in Barcelona in the past. Marquez was a defender in his playing days. He is currently with the club’s reserve team. Pep Guardiola was a manager of the reserve team before becoming the manager of the main team to script history. If Barca considers the same as Marquez, he might become the next manager of the club he once played for.
1. Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho (Source: X)
Jose Mourinho does not have a great history with Barca. In a past interview, Jose had claimed that he would finish his coaching career without leading Barca. “It is clear that I will end my career without having coached Barcelona,” said Mourinho. But the circumstances were different back when he said 15 years ago. Considering the current scenario, Barca might not hesitate to consider him as an option.