Márquez Gains Momentum if Xavi Doesn’t Stay

It’s been just over two months since Xavi Hernández announced in a press conference that he would not continue as the head coach of FC Barcelona next season, despite having another year left on his contract. The sports management works simultaneously to persuade the Terrassa-born coach to change his decision, but also on a contingency plan to find an alternative for the Barça bench.

Facing FC Barcelona’s difficulties in finding a reliable replacement for the men’s first team, the option of betting on a homegrown solution gains ground in the sports management. Two months ago, it was almost ruled out, but if Xavi doesn’t continue, Márquez once again becomes a very viable option.

The club is very pleased with the work being done at Barça Atlètic and values that he is a coach who knows the club and the young players who are succeeding in the first team. Taking all these circumstances into account, Rafa Márquez emerges as one of the candidates to fill Xavi Hernández’s position.

The Mexican coach has the approval of President Laporta. The top leader of the Blaugrana entity backed him to lead Barça Atlètic last season, and they came close to promotion to the Second Division. This year they have eleven consecutive unbeaten matches and the leadership of Group 1 in the Primera RFEF no longer seems like a utopia.

With eight matchdays remaining in Group 1 of the Primera RFEF, Barça Atlètic is the second-placed team with 57 points, just one point behind the leader, Deportivo. It’s worth noting that only the first place grants direct access to promotion to the Second Division, and teams from second to fifth place in the table compete for promotion through a playoff.

The Mexican coach is highly regarded in Laporta’s board despite the controversy surrounding his promotion of a betting house, under the club’s Integrity department. His leadership and ability to maneuver a team that often faces unexpected absences due to the FIFA virus and players called up by Xavi Hernández for first-team matches are valued. Without making much noise, Márquez continues to grow on the sidelines. And his Barça Atlètic, in second place, doesn’t let the leader Deportivo breathe easy.