BARCELONA, Spain: Barcelona is considering other possible coaches besides former player Xavi Hernández to take over for the fired Ronald Koeman, the club’s president said Friday.
Joan Laporta faced a barrage of questions about the widespread speculation linking Xavi to the position. Each time, he lauded the former midfielder while not revealing details of the job hunt.
“The name of Xavi is all over the news but Barça has other options,” Laporta said, without naming names.
“I have never changed what I say about Xavi. One day he will become the coach of Barcelona, and I would even like for that to be while I am in charge. What I don’t know is when,” Laporta said. “It is true that the scouting reports we have on him are very good. All the inputs and news we have on Xavi are good, even though he has not been coaching a long time.”
The 41-year-old Xavi is currently coaching Qatari club Al-Sadd, a team he joined after leaving Barcelona in 2015 following 25 titles in 17 seasons. He played for Al-Sadd until becoming the team’s coach in 2019.
Laporta started his second stint as Barcelona president midway through last season after his predecessor stepped down amid the club’s financial crisis and the team’s poor results.
Laporta said he often speaks with Xavi, who played for Barcelona during Laporta’s first stint as president, “as friends” who like to chat about the team.
Koeman was let go on Wednesday following a 1-0 loss at Rayo Vallecano that left Barcelona in ninth place in the Spanish league. That followed painful losses to Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Benfica and Bayern Munich this season.
Barcelona promoted reserve team coach Sergi Barjuan the next day to act as caretaker coach. Laporta said Barjuan will be in charge for Saturday’s home game against Alavés and possibly next week’s Champions League match at Dynamo Kyiv.
Laporta thanked Koeman, a former Barcelona defender, for taking over the team at the start of last season when it was already having difficulties competing with Europe’s elite.
“Koeman is a man of this club who will always remain in its collective memory,” Laporta said. “He also won a Copa del Rey title as our coach, but he didn’t continue because the results were not going his way. The situation was unsustainable.”
Laporta says Barcelona has other options besides Xavi
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Laporta says Barcelona has other options besides Xavi
- Joan Laporta faced a barrage of questions about the widespread speculation linking Xavi to the position
- Barcelona promoted reserve team coach Sergi Barjuan the next day to act as caretaker coach
Earthquakes sign German striker Timo Werner
- “We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena said
- Werner has been a part of a title-winning side in the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
NEW YORK: The San Jose Earthquakes acquired forward Timo Werner from Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig on a permanent transfer Thursday and signed him to a designated player contract through June 2028.
San Jose acquired the German international’s “discovery priority” from Red Bull New York for $50,000 in 2026 general allocation money.
“We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said. “I think he’ll be an excellent acquisition for our team, and we’re really looking forward to him coming to San Jose. To have a player of Timo’s caliber coming in is simply outstanding for the club and the community. I believe he’ll offer us quality on the field, experience and leadership.”
Werner, 29, has been a part of a title-winning side in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. He will occupy an international roster spot.
“It’s always a big decision to go to America, but everything is there to be successful,” Werner said. “The stadium and the facilities are beautiful. Also, it really impressed me that an experienced manager like Bruce, who has had so much success in the league, flew over here to Germany to talk to me about the plan.
“The Earthquakes fans can expect to get a player who gives everything on the pitch, every game. Every club I’ve joined, I’ve wanted to win a trophy. In the end, I’ve always delivered. That’s why I want to come to San Jose — to win.”
Werner has recorded 154 goals in 451 matches across all competitions in the Bundesliga and English Premier League while representing RB Leipzig, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC and VfB Stuttgart.
At the international level, Werner has totaled 24 goals in 57 caps for Germany, representing his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
