If Laporta had half a brain and any balls he would have fired Xavi after the Bayern defeat.
I cannot understand fans who say Xavi needs time, this is a long term "project", squad is shit, we had injuries etc
Bottom line at a big club you have to deliver. Especially as a manager. If you're a player you may have a little more leeway but as a manager you need results asap.
Whether it's the quality of football or results Xavi has failed to deliver. Laporta gave him almost everything despite our finances and this stubborn fool has not delivered.
The worst thing is there are no rumours of him being sacked.
He will get until the end of the season at least, surely. Could be what JamDav said. It will all depend if he can win either La Liga or EL. In case he does, he's 100% staying. In case he doesn't, it could be that he even walks away himself, especially if the dull gameplay will also continue. At least I hope he'll have enough balls to walk away, like he did as a player, as soon as he saw that he was/would be doing more harm than good by staying. Not sure Laporta will be brave enough to sack him, even if we end up trophyless.
But if we do change managers, what's the plan then?
Arteta would be my top pick, if we can lure him away from his Arsenal project. He truly is turning into a mini Pep (attractive play style wise), just needs a top team to show it (titles wise). So glad that Arsenal have stuck with him, I remember a time when the majority of their fan base also wanted Arteta out after his rough start. Those fans must feel pretty stupid right now. He really benefited from those years at City with Pep, and it shows. No better preparation before his solo manager career took off. I'm also very interested to see how
Xabi Alonso does at Leverkusen, I reckon he could turn into a top manager with time, always had that feeling with him. But obviously way too early for him now, he needs at least 3 good years elsewhere before I'd be willing to even put him on our shortlist. And obviously he's a Madrid legend, so don't know if there's even a realistic chance for interest of working together, from both sides. Much more possible that he actually replaces Ancelotti in a couple of years actually, if he impresses at Leverkusen.
Obviously there are other, non Spanish (out of the box) options, but I really don't see anyone exceptional available right now.
Tuchel (even though a top manager and currently available) is way too defensive for my (and Barca) taste after his stint at Chelsea. I admit I didn't watch how Mainz and Dortmund played, when he was managing them. I don't see
Flick coming back to club football, especially not outside of Germany. As I remember HE was Laporta's top choice in his presidential campaign. Maybe if Laporta took a gamble on
Gallardo, could turn out very well. Even though just the thought of it gives me unpleasant Tata flash backs, even though I know the club leadership is totally different and better now, and Gallardo is actually a highly accomplished manager (actually highest in South America and a proven winner there with multiple Libertadores titles), unlike Tata was, when we sprung him out of there. In any case, also very interested to see Gallardo and where his path will take him, cause I'm pretty sure he will be coming to the top 5 leagues in the next 12 or even 6 months, considering the season his (highly successful) episode at River is ending in 2 months (already confirmed). I actually thought he might take over Aston Villa, before they went with Emery. Maybe Gallardo won't go to the PL after all, at least I hope not. Tired of all the best managers going and ending up there. Being South American and coming from coaching there, he'd actually be the perfect fit in La Liga, I think.