Restoring Barcelona’s status as Spain’s leading force was not enough to wrap Xavi Hernandez in an invincibility cloak.
The former Barca midfielder oversaw the club’s La Liga triumph last season amid the backdrop of continued continental failure, and an indifferent 2023/24 campaign has rendered Xavi’s position at the club vulnerable.
Barca’s emphatic defeat to Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final, a year removed from their impressive success in the competition over their Clasico rivals, depicted yet another power shift at the summit of Spanish football.
Despite Girona’s out-of-nowhere majesty, Madrid are expected to regain the La Liga crown with Barca unlikely to even challenge. Xavi has already admitted that a trophy-less 2023/24 campaign could spell the end of managerial tenure in Catalonia, although the boss must harbour hopes of Copa del Rey success.
Barca’s turbulent campaign thus far suggests serenity isn’t around the corner, and talk regarding a Xavi successor is starting to intensify.
Here’s how 90min ranks five potential candidates for the Barcelona job.
Mourinho has his fair share of fond Camp Nou memories / ben radford/GettyImages
4. Rafael Marquez
Former Barcelona defender Marquez is currently in charge of the club’s reserve team / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Imanol guided Real Sociedad back into the Champions League / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
2. Michel
Michel is masterminding Girona’s remarkable 2023/24 season / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
Motta has worked wonders at Bologna / Alessandro Sabattini/GettyImages
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