FC Barcelona head coach Xavi announced that he will leave his position at the end of the 2023-24 season. The 2010 World Cup winners made this shocking announcement after the Blaugrana suffered a heart-breaking 3-5 loss against Villarreal in the La Liga.

Also Read: Xavi Hernandez announces departure from FC Barcelona at end of season

This defeat was a continuation of poor form over the ongoing season where Barca is third in the Spanish top-flight behind the rising Girona and arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have a ten-point lead. With the Blaugrana being without a coach for the next season,  Jon Laporta and Co. could look for a myriad of options to bring back success to Barcelona.

3 managers who can replace Xavi  at  FC Barcelona

Rafa Marquez

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The former Mexico and FC Barcelona defender, Rafa Marquez, could be a straight-forward replacement for Xavi in the coming season. As a player, Marquez won a lot of silverware with the Blaugrana before transitioning into a coach. He started as a youth coach at RSD Alcalá and took control of the Cadete A (under 15) squad for the 2020–21 season. 

Marquez, in 2022, returned to Barcelona and was named the  Barcelona B head coach. Over the last two years, the Mexican star has emerged as a vital cog in Barca's developmental setup and hence could allow for a seamless transition. Rafa Marquez prefers a Xavi-like 4-3-3 formation which combined with his familiarity with FCB management, could make him a great option.