Flick, Marquez and Gallardo: Barca's options for Xavi's replacement

Xavi's latest statements to the press did not sit well with the 'Cule' board. According to media such as 'RAC1' and 'Sport', Joan Laporta is thinking of sacking the coach and the institution has already started to work on it.

At 'Can Barca' they are looking for a new coach for the 2024-25 season and 'Mundo Deportivo' says that, right now, there are 3 profiles on the table: Hansi Flick, Rafa Marquez and Marcelo Gallardo. Three very different coaches, but the board of directors believe could bring a lot to the team.

Hansi Flick has been on the agenda for some time. When Xavi announced that he was leaving midway through the season, although he later changed his mind, the German's name came up strongly. Indeed, it was said that he had started to study Spanish with the firm objective of landing at the Camp Nou.

He has been without a team since leaving the German national team in September 2023 and, according to the source quoted above, would be more than willing to join the project. Flick is represented by Pini Zahavi, who has a close relationship with Laporta and could be key to taking the reins. 

Another option that seduces Joan Laporta is already at home. Rafa Marquez, coach of Barca Atleti as the reserve team is fighting for promotion to the second division. The top team's management has not needed any more to be convinced that he can achieve great things at the helm of the first team. 

Finally, the 'dark horse' would be Marcelo Gallardo, who is currently in charge of Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. He has a contract until 2025, but Barcelona would have no problem getting him out of there this summer. The Argentinian does not feel comfortable and would be looking for a change of scenery, something that would be offered to him by the Catalan giants.

But if the comings and goings of Joan Laporta and Xavi have shown us anything, it is that the script can change at any moment. The season is not over yet and perhaps there are still a few more surprises in store.