Third in the Liga standings, eight points behind leader Girona, and freshly eliminated from the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona is far from shining at the start of 2024. The situation is not lost however since the Blaugranas are still in contention in the Champions League and there is still time to sign a “comeback” in the championship.
However, despite his past as an illustrious player for the house culé, Xavi has to face a lot of criticism. The former midfielder quickly went from being Laporta’s favorite coach for the latter’s big return to the presidency to that of a man placed in the hot seat. Especially since a certain Deco serves as sports director of the club.
Even more pressure on Xavi
Proof that Xavi’s position is weakened, Joan Laporta would have a weakness for the coach of the reserve team, Rafa Marquez, in the event of the departure of the Spanish coach. This information has been circulating in Catalonia for some time and even forced the Barça boss to deny it. After the elimination the day before yesterday in the Copa del Rey, the Catalan press reported that the Blaugrana board’s plan was not to fire Xavi, even if a new rumor has put a little more pressure on him.
According to El Chiringuito, Deco would have another favorite for Xavi’s succession. This is Thiago Motta. At 41, the former resident of Barça (2001-2007) and Paris Saint-Germain (2012-2018) launched his coaching career with the Parisian U19s and today, he is doing a very good job with Bologna . Eighth in the Serie A standings with the Emilia-Romagna club, Motta continues to see his rating rise. Announced in the sights of PSG, Napoli, Nice and Juventus at the end of last season, the native of São Bernardo do Campo is popular!
