Klopp to Barcelona? Liverpool boss would be a 'downgrade' on Xavi

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Jan 2024 15:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Barcelona player Marc Crosas believes that Jurgen Klopp would be a downgrade on Xavi in Catalunya.

Both managers shocked the world of football last week by announcing that they will depart their respective clubs at the end of the season. They did so, however, for different reasons.

While Klopp will leave Liverpool due to fatigue, Xavi quit Barcelona due to their poor results this term, though he also cited the toxic environment at the club as one of the reasons behind his decision. The 44-year-old announced his exit after his side suffered a 5-3 humiliation on home soil at the hands of Villarreal.

However, the Spaniard had reportedly already made his decision after the Blaugrana's 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Since the news broke, Klopp has been touted as a potential successor to Xavi, but former Barcelona player Marc Crosas is not convinced the German would be the right choice.

'Six blank seasons'

The 36-year-old, who never played a senior game for the Blaugrana but featured 52 times for the club's B and C teams, took to X to share his thoughts on Barcelona hiring Klopp.

"Today they praise Klopp and ask for him for Barça" Crosas wrote. "In nine years, Klopp has won a Premier and a Champions League (plus national cups), adding six blank seasons. In his first three seasons, he didn’t win anything. Xavi has been there for just over two years and is the current La Liga champion."

While Crosas' tweet garnered more than 14,000 likes on the social media platform, one can't help but feel that he is very much in the minority with this opinion. Most Barcelona fans would likely be delighted to have someone as successful as Klopp in the dugout.