Xavi Hernández and Uncertainty at FC Barcelona
The future of the FC Barcelona coach remains a mystery, since as of today, it has not been defined who will lead the first team for next season. After being confirmed in his position on April 24, Xavi Hernández has gone from expressing optimism to showing pessimism by recognizing the difficulties in competing both with Real Madrid and in Europe.
Xavi’s statements about the multimillion-dollar signings made by other clubs have generated tensions in the FC Barcelona board, especially with Joan Laporta and part of the Blaugrana board, who have received these words unfavorably.
Candidates for the FC Barcelona Bench
While awaiting the decision on who will be the next coach, names of possible candidates to lead the team continue to emerge. According to the newspaper Sport, Joan Laporta, initially in favor of Xavi’s continuity, would now be considering Hansi Flick as the main option. Flick, who has been learning Spanish in recent months, has the support of Pini Zahavi, a friend of the Barça president and a key figure in the negotiation that brought Robert Lewandowski to the club.
In the event that the Flick option does not prosper, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann would be other alternatives considered by Laporta, although they are perceived as more remote options due to the high demand for Tuchel at present and Nagelsmann’s commitments as Germany coach in the next Euro Cup.
On the other hand, Deco, former FC Barcelona player, advocates promoting Rafa Márquez to the first team, followed by Thiago Motta as second option, which adds more uncertainty to the choice of the new coach.