Tag: Xavi

Xavi reportedly makes U-turn, will now stay at Barcelona

Xavi is reportedly pulling a switcheroo, with the Barça legend set to stay for another year

Xavi apparently isn’t leaving Barcelona after all.

Mundo Deportivo was first to report that the Barça manager — who in January said he would depart the club at the end of this season — will in fact stay on through the end of his contract, which runs through the end of the 2024-25 season.

At the time Xavi announced his intention to step down, the club legend said Barcelona needed “a change of dynamic” amid a disappointing season.

However, that announcement was followed by a 13-game unbeaten run for Barcelona, including impressive away wins over Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

That said, Barça lost its last two matches, and they were particularly painful defeats. A second-leg collapse against PSG ended the club’s Champions League hopes, while Barcelona led twice only for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time winner to give Real Madrid a controversial 3-2 victory in the latest Clásico.

More to follow…

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Reports: Mexico legend Marquez favorite for Barcelona coaching job

The Mexico legend has been called “the chosen one” in Spanish media

Former Mexico international Rafa Márquez has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Xavi as Barcelona head coach, according to multiple reports.

Xavi announced in January that he will step down at the end of the current campaign, which looks likely to end trophy-less after a stunning Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG on Tuesday.

Márquez is waiting in the wings as the coach of Barcelona’s reserve side Barça Atlètic, which is currently fighting for promotion to the second division. The 45-year-old spent seven seasons as a player with the Blaugrana between 2003 and 2010.

After amassing 148 caps with Mexico and playing in five World Cups, Márquez retired in 2018.

According to various reports, Márquez has become the leading contender for a number of reasons.

Sport, which called Márquez “the chosen one” in its report, said that Barça president Joan Laporta remembers the success Barcelona has experienced in the recent past with two other former reserve team managers, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique (who ironically knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League this year with PSG).

Additionally, the club likes the work Márquez has done with Barcelona’s B team, and also believes his time spent with the club as a player gives him an advantage over other candidates.

Other factors in Márquez’s favor are slightly more practical.

RAC1 journalist Jordi Basté reported that Márquez, who has never served as a senior head coach, would be cheaper than other alternatives and could give Barça more money to spent on players.

ESPN reported that Laporta is only really a fan of two candidates, Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, who are both considered to be unobtainable.

Other names in the mix include Roberto de Zerbi, Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.

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Xavi makes it clear he wants Sergiño Dest out

The end is nigh for the USMNT right back at Barcelona

If there was any question about Sergiño Dest’s future at Barcelona, the club’s manager Xavi made it even more clear on Saturday.

Dest was left out of Barcelona’s matchday squad entirely for last weekend’s La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano. Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s game against Real Sociedad, Xavi talked candidly about his club’s right back situation.

“Being honest, we wanted to sign Cesar Azpilicueta [from Chelsea] and we couldn’t, so that’s the situation,” Xavi said.

“But we do have players to provide cover there. Ronald [Araujo] did well there last weekend, Sergi Roberto can play there and [Jules Koundé] can as well in case of an emergency.”

Asked if Dest is an option at right back, Xavi said: “He knows what the situation is.”

That situation will likely end with Dest leaving the club before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

The American international has been heavily linked with Manchester United in recent days, with the Independent reporting on Friday that the Red Devils were “making progress” on signing Dest.

Dest’s next destination is still unclear but it’s becoming increasingly likely the right back will see his Barcelona career end after two seasons.

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How to Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool, Premier League Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool Live Online.

The Premier League returns after a weekend break due to the FA Cup third round occupying the top flight. Liverpool’s path to its first Premier League title is clear. The intrigue surrounding its unbelievably impressive season remains whether or not the team can keep its unbeaten run through to the end. A tricky away trip to Tottenham could be one of its most difficult obstacles left remaining. 

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Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

  • When: Saturday, January 11
  • Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: NBC
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Tottenham’s struggles and inconsistencies, no matter the manager in charge, have been well documented. While the team’s record away has been brutal for a whole calendar year, its home form has been what you’d expect from a club with such quality. Despite Tottenham’s inability to string results together, the team has the talent to beat any club on any day. If Tottenham shows up in good form, it can certainly be a threat to Liverpool’s bid for history. 

The Spurs will be no bystanders in this matchup. They are six points behind Chelsea for the fourth spot in the table and the final Champions League spot. The honeymoon period with Jose Mourinho was a quick one as the team has only won once in its last five competitions, including a loss against Southampton and a draw with Norwich City.

For Liverpool, life couldn’t be much better. Not only is it on pace to become only the second club to not be defeated in a Premier League season, but the team is even making progress in other competitions. Liverpool’s bid for a Champions League repeat is on track, while it just knocked out bitter rival Everton in the third round of the FA Cup using a predominantly reserve-laden team. The sky’s the limit for this side as history draws closer and closer. 

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