Barcelona have compiled a three-person shortlist to replace Xavi Hernandez after making another U-turn on the Spaniard’s future, it has been claimed.
It has been widely reported that Barcelona are considering sacking manager Xavi at the end of the season after the former midfield icon spoke out against the club’s finances.
Back in January, Xavi announced his intention to step down as Barcelona boss at the end of the season, only for the club’s hierarchy to persuade him to stay beyond the summer.
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However, the likes of AS have alleged the Spaniard has angered Joan Laporta by talking about the impact of the club’s financial difficulties on recruitment.
He said in a press conference that the club needed to spend money “if we do not want everything to stay the same”, while he added it was, at present, very hard to compete “against Real Madrid and also in Europe.”
Xavi stated: “The Culé must understand that the situation is very complicated to compete economically.
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“It has nothing to do with what we had 25 years ago when the coach would come and say 'I want this one, this one, and this one'. It doesn't work like that anymore.
“I understand that and that's how we're going to adjust to it. That doesn't mean we're not going to compete. We need stability and time. There are good things to compete for. The situation we are in is the situation we are in in terms of results.
“Last year we were solvent without playing the football we would like to play and this year, we have played better, but with worse results."
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It has been alleged that Xavi expressed something entirely different when speaking to Laporta weeks earlier, which the manager having reportedly expressed full faith in the team.
Xavi later attempted to clarify his earlier comments, adding: “I said what I think, the economic situation is not the best and we are all working very well to improve the situation. We will fight to get titles, nothing changes.”
Barcelona are now said to be on the hunt for new candidates, with AS alleging that Rafa Marquez, Hansi Flick, and Sergio Conceicao are on their three-person shortlist.
Former Germany boss Flick has been tipped to make a Bayern Munich return this summer, while Marquez has impressed taking charge of the Barcelona youth team.
Topics: Barcelona
Chris Byfield