Barcelona Wants To Bring Back Their Ex To Replace Xavi Hernandez

Coach Frank Rijkaard who was working with Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez. (Instagram @frank_rijkaard_1962)

JAKARTA - Speculation of a replacement for Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona coach continues to emerge. However, President Joan Laporta apparently had different choices by inviting his ex to return to Barca.

The puzzle of the new Barca coach is in the spotlight. You see, Xavi Hernandez said he would put his position after the end of the competition.

Xavi's decision, which did not suddenly resign, made the club more flexible in finding a replacement.

In the aftermath, a row of coaches were said to be candidates for Barca. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a serious candidate.

Because of this, Klopp announced his resignation as Liverpool Manager shortly after Xavi did the same thing.

Apart from Klopp, there are Imanol Alguacil, Roberto De Zerbi, and Thiago Motta who are said to replace Xavi when Barca enter next season's competition.

Although many of the top coaches have already been mentioned, Laporta turns out to have his own choice. He wants to bring back Frank Rijkaard. In fact, Laporta has contacted this Dutch coach.

According to Radio MARCA, Laporta has spoken with Rijkaard about the possibility of him returning to handling the Blaugrana.

However, there is no certainty from the former AC Milan and Ajax Amsterdam defenders regarding Laporta's offer. However, Rijkaard did not close the door back to Barca.

Rijkaard handled Barca for five years who made him one of the club's longest-serving coaches after Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola. He coached Barca from 2003 to 2008 who was then also led by Laporta.

The 61-year-old coach successfully gave Barca two Spanish La Liga wins and one Champions League trophy.

Rijkaard also played a role in raising Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi who were young at that time.

Under Rijkaard, they had the opportunity to play which then all three reached the top in the Guardiola era.

After leaving Barca, Rijkaard had coached Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabia national team. When returning to Barca, Rijkaard was allowed to bring his colleague, Marco van Basten, as assistant coach.