With too many issues currently surrounding FC Barcelona, it becomes much too difficult to focus on only one. From a team that needs a massive revamp to a coach who has already confirmed he will not be staying beyond the current season, a lot of problems persist for Barcelona to find a solution for.
However, when it comes to the managerial role, the situation is rather dire and urgent. Without a proper coach at the helm, it becomes almost impossible to go ahead with any of the other operations. Xavi has already confirmed that he will part ways with Barcelona, and a lot of potential replacements have since been linked to the club.
One of those replacements is none other than Barcelona Atletic coach Rafa Marquez. The subsidiary coach has been highlighted as an option to take over from Xavi Hernandez amidst reports also linking other coaches to the club. However, it now seems that the option of Marquez as the Barcelona first-team coach is not exactly a priority.
As highlighted by SPORT, Deco has recently confirmed in an interview that Rafa Marquez is only a backup or ‘emergency’ option:
“He [ Marquez ] is doing his job and growing as a coach. We hope he stays many years at the club because we need quality coaches. For an emergency, we did consider him, but in the future, we have to evaluate more things.”
This would mean that the club would only look at Marquez as an option if they are unable to find another competent solution. Understandably, the club would ideally want a proven and experienced coach at the highest level to take over a team of Barça’s caliber with the expectations that are attached as well.
Moreover, Deco has also confirmed that neither Jose Mourinho nor Thiago Motta has thus far been contacted or considered for the position:
“He [ Mourinho ] is a friend, but I haven’t spoken with him in a long time. I haven’t watched many Bologna [ Thiago Motta’s team ] matches because, with so many trips, you limit yourself to watching the big teams. It’s true that Thiago is doing a good job, but there is nothing to what is being said. In fact, I haven’t spoken with him for many years.”
With all three of these claims, it becomes clear that Mourinho, Motta, and Marquez have all been ruled out as primary candidates by Deco. The director at Barcelona hailing from Brazil knows that the next appointment will be crucial, and a certain German name is beginning to gain a lot of public attention for the position.