The likelihood of Rafa Márquez being chosen as the man to replace Xavi in the dugout at La Liga giants Barcelona this summer is increasing by the day.
That’s according to sources across Spain, who are continuing to point towards the Mexican as the leading candidate to act as Xavi’s successor.
Márquez, for his part, is currently overseeing what has proven an impressive campaign on the part of Barca Atlètic.
And, evidently, such exploits on the part of the one-time Barcelona defender have not gone at all unappreciated on the part of those behind the scenes at the club.
With the Blaugrana’s high-profile managerial options thinning out further and further, and the Hansi Flick track seemingly abandoned, Márquez is in turn beginning to look an increasingly tempting option.
The 45-year-old knows the club in and out, with his close bond with a number of Barca’s up-and-coming young talents also boding well when it comes to their integration into the first-team.
Not only that, but Márquez would not command the kind of salary that a more experienced tactician would be entitled to.
As per the likes of RAC1, Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo, such factors, alongside the Mexican’s tactical nous, mean that it would not come as even a slight surprise if Joan Laporta and co. were to move forward with installing Márquez on the Camp Nou bench for next season.
Conor Laird | GSFN
