According to sources, Barcelona president Joan Laporta will meet with coach Xavi Hernández next week as he considers firing him as manager.
Barça’s sporting director, Deco, and other members of the sporting directorate will also be present at the meeting, which will take place after the club’s final LaLiga game of the season against Sevilla on Sunday.
Club sources have told ESPN that the meeting would act as a debrief for Barça’s trophyless season, but it comes as Xavi’s future is once again in the limelight.
ESPN reported last week that Laporta is seriously considering sacking the coach, and while a decision has yet to be made, there are more people within the president’s circle urging him to make a change.
If Xavi does depart, sources tell ESPN that Barça Atlético coach Rafa Márquez, Hansi Flick, and Brentford manager Thomas Tuchel are among the candidates to replace him. Thiago Motta and ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi have also been connected.
Meanwhile, sources have revealed that Deco and Bojan Krkic, who works with the sporting director, traveled to London on Wednesday, albeit the reason for the trip is unknown.
The developments are the latest unpredictable twist in a saga that has been ongoing since January, when Xavi declared his desire to stand down at the conclusion of the season.
Following a meeting with Laporta at his Barcelona residence in April, Xavi reversed his decision and announced that he will complete his contract, which is valid until 2025.
