Xavi took over as Barcelona’s head coach in November 2021, succeeding Ronald Koeman. During his tenure, Xavi has been working to rebuild the team and implement his vision for the club’s playing style. However, despite some promising performances, Barcelona has faced challenges in both domestic and European competitions. 

Last Wednesday’s Copa Del Rey defeat against Athletic Bilbao followed by Saturday’s lackluster performance was the final nail in the coffin of Xavi’s time as Barcelona manager. As per multiple reports, immediately after the defeat club president Joan Laporta and some board members along with Xavi align with this decision of Xavi.  

Xavi’s decision to step down has sparked discussions about the future direction of the team and potential replacements for the managerial role. As a highly respected figure in Barcelona, his departure will undoubtedly have an impact on the club and its supporters. 

As Xavi will depart from the club right after the current season ends, there is ingrowing speculation about who will be the next manager of the defending La Liga champion. However financial strain will likely make it difficult for them to attract and afford a top manager who will demand a modest salary. 

Let’s take a look at some of the potential options below:-  

•  Garcia Pimienta

When looking for a potential replacement for Xavi with “Barca DNA” in La Liga, Las Palmas’ coach Garcia Pimienta seems to be the most suitable candidate. 49-year-old previously spent nearly three decades at Barcelona, first as a player and then as coach of their famous academy, La Masia. Based on his philosophy and previous experience at Barca, his current team is playing beautiful football in Spanish top-flight football. But one of his criticizing points was his over-dependence on outside signings who displace their homegrown youngsters. This could well be a hindrance for him to be the next Barcelona manager.  

• Thiago Motta

Another former Barcelona player, who spent eight years with the Catalan outfit as a player has been nothing short of a revelation in terms of coaching. Under his supervision Italian club Bologna has been playing one of the most entertaining football in whole Europe. Implementing a possession-based style of play, his side sits only two points behind the top 4 in Serie-A standing. As asked about coaching Barcelona he said, “heard of Xavi leaving Barça, yes — they told me this news some minutes ago… . Barça links for the future? I live in the present. I’m enjoying my time at Bologna, I’m only focused on the present”. 

• Michel

Considering the current financial situation of the club, Michel could be a tempting option. The current coach of Girona, another Catalan club, is well-known about Catalan culture and La Liga as a whole. One of the best parts of his coaching is that he knows how to get the maximum potential of players which Barcelona desperately needs right now. His side plays free-flowing football which puts the opposition on the back foot, which is the kind of play Barcelona certainly wants to play.  

• Jurgen Klopp

• Pep Guardiola  

The dream every Barcelona fan carries: Pep Guardiola as their head coach, but the return is unlikely under current circumstances. “If Barcelona calls me, I would go wherever I will be,” once he said. But he was justifying his former assistant coach Mikel Arteta’s decision to leave Manchester City to be head coach of Arsenal, where he plays and captained the first team.  

• Rafa Marquez

At least for now, the most well-placed and realistic person to replace Xavi seems to be Rafa Marquez, who was a team-mate of current coach Xavi and current sporting director Deco, who is regarded as one of the prominent figures and one of the decision-makers in the current board. Currently managing the Barca-B team, he is however inexperienced as a first-team coach. That’s why it could be a high-risk decision if the current board decides to appoint him as the next Barcelona manager.