Barcelona draw up 3-man managerial shortlist including Champions League winner and ex-player to replace Xavi after dramatic U-turn: Reports
Barcelona have another U-turn on Xavi staying on as their manager. The Catalan side have reportedly decided to part ways with him, just weeks after convincing him to stay on for another season.
As per a report in AS, Barcelona have already lined up a three-man list as they eye the next manager. Rafa Marquez, Hansi Flick, and Sergio Conceicao are the leading candidates on Friday (May 17) afternoon.
Former player and Champions League winner Marquez was linked with the job earlier this year and has been doing well with the Barcelona B team. The club see the 45-year-old as the ideal fit as he knows the club and their financial situation.
Flick was also in the running, but the German is now a contender at Bayern Munich. The former German manager has been without a job since he got sacked by DFB.
Conceicao has done well at FC Porto and is now in the running for the Barcelona job. However, AC Milan and Marseille are also interested in the 49-year-old.
Xavi confirmed Barcelona U-turn last month
Xavi announced his decision to resign as the Barcelona manager earlier this season. However, he was convinced to stay for another season by the board.
He spoke about the decision in April, saying (as per Fabrizio Romano):
"Me, my staff, all together feel that we have strength to make important things together and continue this project. My original decision was the right one at the time because we needed a change of course. But the situation is different now. I feel strong enough to continue building this project.
"We may not have achieved the trophy-winning targets that we set for this season, but there is hope for next season and I think we are very close to achieving big things. The players believe in me and they have expressed to me their complicity and support, they persuaded me to change my mind. The fans also encouraged me and that also led to reappraise my thoughts. I thank them for all their support and love."
Club president Joan Laporta also commented on it:
"Yesterday I got the good news in which he conveyed his enthusiasm and confidence for the project and the team and project. Our coach is ambitious to create a project that has already won things and that must continue to win. But now it will be even more competitive because changes will be made for the better."
RAC1 are reporting that the manager's comments on Vitor Roque are one of the main reasons for the possible sacking.