Former Mexico international Rafa Márquez is now seen as one of the candidates to replace Xavi Hernández as Barcelona coach, despite only being considered as an interim option two months ago, a source has told ESPN.
There is growing support within the club for Márquez, with the search for a new coach expected to accelerate following Barça’s Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
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Márquez, 45, was initially only considered as a potential caretaker in the event Xavi, who announced in January he will step down in the summer after over two years in the job, did not see the season out.
Several sources have told ESPN that Barcelona are still considering other alternatives such as Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel, but Márquez is now also a long-term option because the club knows it will be difficult to offer such a significant project to an experienced coach due to the economic limitations they will have in the upcoming transfer window.
Barça’s delicate financial situation means they are unable to offer guarantees over squad building due to the limitations they will have in the transfer market while they remain over €200 million ($212m) in excess of their €204m LaLiga-imposed annual spending cap.
ESPN have previously reported that Barça will struggle to sign new players this summer and could even force them to consider offers for key players, including defender Ronald Araújo, to comply with the league’s rules.
