Barcelona halt manager search three months out from Xavi Hernandez departure

Originally posted on Football Espana | By Ruairidh Barlow | Last updated 3/19/24

Barcelona have halted their search for Xavi Hernandez’s replacement a little over three months before his contract is due to expire. Xavi has announced that he will leave at the end of the season, but the recent upturn in form for Barcelona has caused some to reconsider their views on whether he should continue or not.

It looked as if Xavi was headed for the sack in late January before announcing his decision, but his announcement made it clear he wanted to see out the season. In recent weeks Xavi has been asked repeatedly whether he might reconsider his decision, while recent reports state that Xavi could decide to come back if several conditions are met.

Fermín López: "We will miss Xavi. He has almost given me everything here at the club because, since I came from my loan, he's the person who has trusted me the most. He has always given me that confidence, the opportunity to be a first team player, and we will miss him,… pic.twitter.com/th23lUqjVU

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 19, 2024

As per Sport , Barcelona Sporting Director Deco has conducted all of the research and put together a shortlist of three to four managers that fit the parameters of the job. All that remains is to conduct interviews with the candidates and then take a decision. This next step will not occur until at least after the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain though. There is optimism that the season could finish well for the Blaugrana.

With Barcelona struggling for cash, and Xavi remaining a coach that shields President Joan Laporta from criticism, it would be understandable if they were change their perspective on the matter if they reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in five years. All the same, it would be a major shock if Xavi were to be on the bench next season, having seemingly run out of patience with the media and the Barcelona hierarchy.

The post Barcelona halt manager search three months out from Xavi Hernandez departure appeared first on Football España.

This article first appeared on Football Espana and was syndicated with permission.

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