The goalless draw in Bilbao opened a front between the club management and the playing squad at Barcelona, writes Mundo Deportivo. Following the match against Athletic, head coach Xavi Hernandez criticized the team for their lack of ambition. Later on, he reframed his words in a press conference, stating that the players didn’t show enough desire and belief in winning, which could have capitalized on Real Madrid and Girona’s losses to get back into the championship race.Although Xavi tried to soften the criticism directed at the players, the Catalan newspaper writes that the club management has no intention of doing so and that Joan Laporta and his colleagues are seriously disappointed after the visit to the Basque Country. They particularly note that Athletic Bilbao played with a combined lineup due to injuries and fatigue just three days after their match against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg (3-0).##NAJAVA_MECA_7930096##On the other hand, Barcelona players are reportedly disappointed with the announced departure of Xavi from the dugout and are posing a counter-question to the management regarding the plans and ambitions for the future. All internal club issues will be set aside if Barcelona turns their draw in Naples on 12 March (1-1) into a qualification for the Champions League quarterfinals. As things stand, the Catalans will have to enter that battle without Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, but there is still hope that the two midfielders will recover for the Napoli clash.According to Catalan daily Sport, there are disagreements regarding the topic of Barcelona’s number one, or Xavi’s successor. Alongside the previously mentioned Germans, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Nagelsmann, Laporta reportedly wants to hire Roberto De Zerbi, while the sports director Deco advocates for the return of Luis Enrique. The president’s desire seems more realistic, as Pep Guardiola recommended the current Brighton coach, which could influence his decision to choose the Catalans among other offers (Bayern, Liverpool, and Manchester United are mentioned), while Luis Enrique is still at the beginning of a new project at Paris Saint-Germain, so unlike several of his predecessors, a potential failure in the Champions League should not shake his current position.Who can be the new Coach of Barcelona? pic.twitter.com/zLFTnGuJtT— Toon Football (@ToonFootballl) February 28, 2024 Sport also highlights that Laporta’s first choice has long been Nagelsmann, with the complication of the German national team’s upcoming European Championship, which would prevent him from starting work before mid-July. Laporta noticed the German coach back at the beginning of his career when he led Hoffenheim, but he planned to develop in Germany.Perhaps it’s time for Nagelsmann to try his luck abroad, although it doesn’t seem likely. Especially not when it comes to financially limited Barcelona, so it’s more likely that the Catalans will have to look for a solution elsewhere. De Zerbi seems available, but there is still a long way to go until the end of the season and Xavi’s departure, so it’s possible that new names will appear in the story.
