It will most likely be another former Barcelona player who will take charge of the club from the sidelines.
FC Barcelona has long had a tendency to choose former players as the head coach of the club. The current coach, Xavi, follows in the footsteps of past coaches like Johan Cruyff, Ronald Koeman, Pep Guardiola, and Luis Enrique.
Now, it appears that the next coach will also be a former player, according to the Catalan sports newspaper Sport.
Specifically, the former defender Rafa Marquez has been selected, it is reported. He played for the club from 2003 to 2010, during which he helped secure four league titles and two Champions League victories.
Since 2022, he has been the head coach of Barcelona’s B team, so he is familiar with the club’s philosophy. This is one of the reasons they have chosen him, it is explained.
This factor was considered when other candidates like Hansi Flick came up, who do not have the same familiarity with either the league or the club’s current financial challenges.
Brighton’s De Zerbi was also not a viable option due to his contract and a very high release clause, making it easy to rule him out.
The only thing that might prevent Rafa Marquez’s appointment as the first team’s head coach would be if Xavi decides he wants to continue in the role after this season.
The former midfielder has previously explained that nothing could make him change his mind. Therefore, it is set in stone that Xavi will be parting ways with Barcelona once this season is over.
The Catalan club’s elimination from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday evening has most likely only strengthened his desire to leave the club this summer.
