{"id":3947,"date":"2024-04-17T13:36:19","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T13:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3947"},"modified":"2024-04-17T13:36:19","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T13:36:19","slug":"barcelona-set-to-confirm-club-legend-as-xavi-replacement-after-clasico-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3947","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona set to confirm club legend as Xavi replacement after Clasico | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\"Barcelona\n<\/div>

The Catalan giants have already earmarked a successor (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barcelona are keen to push ahead with life after Xavi and could accelerate their succession plan following this weekend\u2019s Clasico against Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.<\/p>\n

The Catalan giants blew a 4-2 aggregate lead against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-final of the Champions League this week, shipping four goals after Ronald Araujo was sent off.<\/p>\n

Barca had hoped Xavi \u2013 who announced earlier this year he would be stepping down at the end of the season \u2013 would be able to guide the team to the final at Wembley, especially with PSG now taking on Borussia Dortmund in a very winnable semi-final.<\/p>\n

But instead they crashed out and now face a crunch Clasico in La Liga; if they win at the Bernabeu they can close the gap to the league leaders to just five points, but defeat would create an 11-point deficit and effectively end the title race.<\/p>\n

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barca\u2019s earlier-than-expected exit from the Champions League means Xavi\u2019s future \u2013 and the managerial situation at the club \u2013 could be definitively sorted following a defeat in the Clasico.<\/p>\n

President Joan Laporta had been clinging to the hope that Xavi might be convinced to U-turn on his decision to step down and continue at the club.<\/p>\n

But there is now no possibility of that happening and Barcelona want to finalise the managerial situation as soon as possible, with the club\u2019s former defender \u2013 and B team coach \u2013 Rafael Marquez now the likely candidate to take over.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"Rafael\n<\/div>

Marquez is now the frontrunner to succeed Xavi (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barca had wanted to push until the end of the season and Laporta hoped a strong finish would prompt Xavi into a rethink, but the head coach has closed the door to continuing.<\/p>\n

The Catalan club had been exploring managerial options back in February, when Xavi first announced he would be leaving, but sporting director Deco was told to hold off by Laporta who tried to convince Xavi to stay.<\/p>\n

Names such as Thomas Tuchel, Hansi Flick, Roberto De Zerbi and even Arsenal\u2019s Mikel Arteta were linked with the post, but now it appears Barca will take a different approach.<\/p>\n