The newspaper “Sport” reported that the Barcelona administration decided to freeze the file of the new coach indefinitely.
The intention of the Catalan club management was to settle on the name of Xavi Hernandez’s successor to coach the team during the current international break in March, or in April at the latest.
According to “Sport”, this decision was reversed, as President Joan Laporta decided to wait until he saw what would happen in the Champions League quarter-finals and then look into the file again.
Part of the decision to freeze the coach’s file is due to Laporta’s personal wishes in persuading Xavi to continue for another year in leadership of Barcelona and to fulfill his full contract until the summer of 2025.
If the Paris Saint-Germain hurdle is crossed, Laporta will do everything in his power to keep Xavi for another year, and this may be enhanced if the coach succeeds in reducing the difference in La Liga with Real Madrid.
Despite Xavi’s confirmation of his departure, no matter what happens, Laporta is still hopeful, and another part of the decision to freeze the file is due to his unwillingness to create controversy around the club before the difficult and decisive period ahead this season.
It is noteworthy that Hansi Flick, the former coach of Bayern Munich and the German national team, is the most likely to succeed Xavi as coach of Barcelona, followed by Roberto De Zerbe, the current coach of Brighton.
