da dobrowin: Barcelona have drawn up a shortlist of three managers to potentially replace Xavi, although they have not given up on the ex-midfielder staying put.
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Barca not convinced Xavi will leaveDrawing up shortlist of potential replacementsXavi announced intention to depart this summerAngel Martinez/Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
reports that Barcelona are currently drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements for Xavi after he announced his intention to leave the club in the summer. Xavi still has a contract until the summer of 2025 and Barcelona remain hopeful of keeping their legendary ex-midfielder at the club, although the report claims that the club would need to either win La Liga or the Champions League to convince him to stay.
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Barcelona are reported to have shortlisted PSG boss Luis Enrique – who managed the club between 2014 and 2017 before managing Spain – as well as Hansi Flick, who is represented by super-agent Pini Zahavi, with whom Barca have a close relationship, and Rafael Marquez. Marquez is currently the manager of Barcelona Athletic and he is seen as an in-house option, similar to the appointment of Pep Guardiola when he was promoted from managing the youth team.
DID YOU KNOW?
It remains to be seen if Xavi will be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat and win a major trophy; were he to do so, he could potentially change his mind. The legendary figure guided the club to La Liga success last season, but they have endured a difficult campaign this time around. They sit eight points behind Real Madrid in the league and are paired with Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. When Luis Enrique was in charge, he guided Barcelona to two La Liga titles, Copa del Rey success three times, as well as Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup crowns.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Barcelona are next in action against Las Palmas in La Liga on Saturday before taking on PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The latter could be vital in deciding the future of manager Xavi.