Barcelona sporting director Deco reports on Xavi's replacement, responds to Jurgen Klopp and Thiago Motta.
The Director Sporting Barcelona Deco admitted at the weekend that he had not expected the resignation of Xavi Hernandez from the post before last week. The Blaugrana coach had made a number of statements about his future in previous press conferences, but Deco had some ideas about what the next manager will have in terms of profile.
According to Deco in The vanguardBarcelona had wanted their current coach to continue for another two years.
“I did not expect it. I am with him every day and we have been planning arrivals like Vitor Roque for weeks. Or decide if with Balde's injury we had access to sign a replacement in the winter… There is still speculation , but I never thought about it. Let's talk about the next season, it was renewed for that.
“The president always wanted to be with him until the end of his term. It was Xavi who from the beginning wanted a shorter contract. He told us: 'If I don't win, I don't think I'll continue.'
Xavi's announcement came a few days later Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool, but Deco he moved away from talking about the German and former team-mate and manager of Bologna Thiago Motta. Both were linked with work.
“He is a great coach, but I think this is not the time to talk about it. The new coach will want to make changes, but first the project and the ideas have to be explained to him. There are many options.”
“I don't follow much of Motta's work because he is not in an Italian team that I usually see. Yes, I see Marquez, because he is here. He is a young coach who grows in the face of difficulties. Being here will make you a better coach “.
As for the new coach, Deco revealed some prerequisites.
“Currently we have not spoken with any coach. We assimilate the departure of Xavi.”
“It must follow the line of the work done, it is unlikely that we will be a team that does not want to play well, that does not want to have the ball. Starting from that idea, every coach has his characteristics, but whoever comes must have ambitions and I'm hungry to do great things. And you know where they're coming from.”
Deco: “Currently we have not spoken with any coach. (Xavi's successor) will follow a line of work, we will just be a team that does not want to play well, that does not want to have the ball. Starting from that idea , each coach has its own characteristics, but whoever comes…
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Deco's speech contrasts with the reports of the last few weeks. At the very least, there was a consistent line of thought that Barcelona were putting together a contingency plan should they get rid of him. Barca Atletic manager Rafael Marquez was tipped as a potential emergency choice, but a month before Xavi's announcement, rumors of a Barcelona shortlist were rife.
