Barca line up former player to take over from Xavi

Jacque Talbot

• 27 Jan 2024 15:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona have opted to line up Thiago Motta to replace Xavi Hernandez as head coach of the Spanish giants, according to reports.

The Catalan team have endured a poor season and Xavi’s position is under severe pressure. Now outlet Fichajes has reported that Motta, another former player, is one of sports director Deco's favourite choices.

Radio presenter Manu Carreno, talking in the last episode of 'El Larguero', stated that the Italian is also now President Joan Laporta's preferred choice as a possible replacement for Xavi, too.

The former midfielder remains to have the support of the board but he will have to meet and achieve the objectives established at the beginning of the season.

It’s believed that Motta could bring a fresh approach and a different perspective to the team. Since the summer of 2022, Motta has been head coach of Serie A club Bologna, where he has helped push them go from a midtable side to challenging for a spot in Europe.

Barcelona trusts that Xavi can keep the team in contention for a Champions League spot, the club currently presiding in third spot in La Liga.

Xavi's performances in the coming games will be crucial in determining whether the club decides to look elsewhere, with Motta being the main candidate.

What has Xavi said about his future?

Speaking to Football Espana before their game against Villarreal, Xavi spoke about his future at Barcelona. He said: “We have been talking about my continuity since the month of July.

“Since we lost a friendly against Arsenal, there was already pressure. I am calm. I understand the club, the criticism, I understand everything.

“I am lucky, or unlucky, to know the club. I have no problem. But now is not the time to think about my future. When we got to the friendly Clasico in July, it was already a pressure situation. We are convinced that we can have a good season.

“But of course, I have been here for two and a half years and I think I have less time left than I have already been here. I'm closer to the end than the start.

“If you look at history, Pep, he was here four years right? Luis Enrique three, and that was winning, always winning. There will come a point when I will leave.

The Spaniard continued: “I don't know if they are unfair to me, I'm not sure about that. But we always value people when they start to leave. Now the good work of Valverde, Koeman, is valued.

“Now that Busquets, Jordi Alba are gone, we say how good they were… It is something to reflect on. I hope you miss me too. I am happy and I value what I have now, not later. “