Barcelona 'make final decision on Xavi replacement'
La Liga champions Barcelona have reportedly decided who will be the man to lead the first team next season once Xavi has vacated his post.
Immediately after a 5-3 loss to Villarreal in the top flight in January, Xavi left reporters stunned by announcing his end-of-campaign resignation in his post-match press conference.
The former Barcelona midfielder has since overseen a stellar run of form since revealing his desire to leave, though, and Camp Nou chiefs have left the door open for the head coach to make a U-turn.
Xavi is often forced to bat away repeated questions about whether he could change his mind, but the Spaniard has always issued the same response, insisting that he will step down no matter what this summer.
The situation was no different after Barcelona's 4-1 Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which was the club's first loss since Xavi's exit announcement and eliminated them from the competition.
Several candidates have been tipped to take over from Xavi this summer, when a few high-profile managers will be moving on, and the Blaugrana are now said to have come to a final decision.
Barcelona choose Rafael Marquez to replace XaviAccording to Sport, the reigning Spanish champions will be led by former centre-back and current Barca Atletic coach Rafael Marquez, who had put himself forward for the job when Xavi first revealed his intention to depart.
President Joan Laporta confirmed in February that the Mexican was under consideration to take over as head coach, although sporting director Deco then claimed that he would only be an «emergency» solution.
However, the Blaugrana chiefs are apparently keen on the idea of hiring a candidate who knows the ins and outs of the club,
Read on sportsmole.co.uk
