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Rafael Marquez, the head coach of Barcelona B, has shown interest in taking over as the team’s first-team manager once Xavi leaves at the end of the current campaign.
After Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Villarreal at home, Xavi declared he would be quitting as manager at the end of the campaign.
Because of the team’s difficulties in the 2023–24 season, Xavi stated that the “club needs a change of dynamic” and that the 44-year-old is under a lot of pressure.
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, is rumoured to hold great regard for Marquez, the head coach of Barcelona B, and to have selected the Mexican as a future first-team manager.
Between 2003 and 2010, Marquez played for the Catalan team, making 242 games and earning two Champions League titles, the Copa del Rey, and four La Liga crowns.
Thanks to his “deep understanding of the club’s philosophy and tactical acumen,” the Mexican is apparently in a strong position to be considered for the position.
Presently, Marquez has stated that he ‘would not be able to say no’ to taking over as Barcelona’s new head coach this summer.
How could someone not want to coach Barcelona? It’s only my second season as a coach, therefore I will keep working hard,” Marquez is quoted by Mundo Deportivo as saying.
“From now until the end of the season, the board will have ample time to consider its options. But a chance like this one is too good to pass up!”
Xavi said that the team had “emotionally collapsed” during Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Villarreal.
“We have a negative dynamic and are in a hole. The team as a whole has crumbled emotionally. It is a severe blow. In the second half, we performed well. We lost it ourselves, even if the team deserved to win,” he remarked.
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Barcelona has dropped three of its past five games across all competitions. On January 14, they fell 4-1 to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and the following week, they lost 4-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
On Saturday, the Yellow Submarine led 3-2 in the 71st minute after trailing 2-0 to Villarreal. However, the Yellow Submarine scored three goals in the last minutes of the game to win 5-3.
Barcelona is now three points ahead of Athletic Bilbao in fifth position in the La Liga standings, but ten points behind leaders Real Madrid.
