Barcelona has made a decision on Xavi's replacement: all the details

Barcelona has decided that it will promote Rafael Marquez to first-team coach if he is forced to replace Xavi this summer, a report claims.

Xavi confirmed earlier this year that he plans to step down at the end of the season and, amid several calls for him to stay and continue the club's great run, He recently stated again that he will not change his mind.

According to SPORT, Barcelona is no longer looking for a replacement for Xavi and He has decided that if he cannot convince the current coach to continue, he will turn to Márquez.

The Mexican, who spent seven years as a player at Camp Nou between 2003 and 2010, has impressed since returning to the club to take charge of Barca-Atletico, and the report claims he is now the only candidate under consideration to replace Xavi.

While hopes of retaining Xavi have not yet faded, his insistence that nothing could change his mind has left club officials aware that they may be fighting a losing battle.

Barcelona has looked for possible replacements for Xavi, but now has ruled out movements of coaches with high termination clauses, such as Rubén Amorim from Sporting CP or Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton.

Former Germany coach Hansi Flick is seen as the only feasible external candidateas he is available on a free transfer, but concerns over his inexperience in Spain and high wage demands have seen club officials speak coldly about a move for Flick.

The focus is therefore now on Márquez, whose knowledge of the club's youth ranks also works in his favour.

Márquez will be promoted to first-team coach only if president Joan Laporta fails to convince Xavi to stay. He hopes to retain Xavi and will spend the next few weeks trying to reach a positive resolution with the current manager before turning his attention to Marquez.