Still reigning Spanish champions Barcelona will now be hoping they can get back into the title race this year after losing 2-3 in El Clasico away to Real Madrid on Sunday night. The Catalans were also knocked out of the Champions League last week, so in the remaining six games until the end of the season, Barcelona can have no other goal than to simply keep the second place in the standings.
However, the period will be very important for the future of the team. According to information in Spain, as early as Monday there will be a meeting between president Joan Laporta, Deco and head coach Xavi Hernandez. On it, the mentor must finally announce his decision whether he will leave or if he has a chance to fulfill his contract, of which there is still one year left. Xavi himself has never hinted at any chance of changing his decision, which he announced in January. However, Laporta and Deco still want the former midfielder to stay and believe they will convince him.
However, the decision must be made definitively and as soon as possible so that Deco can immediately set about finding a new coach in case Xavi refuses to stay. It is very likely that in this case the management will decide to appoint Rafael Marquez, who currently leads the double of Barcelona. The other two options are Hanzi Flick, who is currently free, and Roberto De Zerbi, who would have to be paid compensation to Brighton if the Italian were to agree to a move at all. Thomas Tuchel will also be free after the end of the season, but in any case, in financial terms, the most profitable will be an eventual appointment of Marquez.
