"Replacing Xavi? At the moment, I'm living in the present"

Two coaches have already spoken at press conferences about their chances of replacing Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona. The first was Rafa Marquez, coach of the reserve team, who spoke after his side's victory over Fuenlabrada. He acknowledged that he would like to take that step forward, although he was also cautious to make it clear that, for the moment, what he has to focus on is training.

The second was Bologna coach and former Barcelona player Thiago Motta. On Saturday night, hours after his Montjuic counterpart resigned from his post, he was in a 2-2 draw against Milan at the San Siro, so the journalists wanted to know, when he appeared before them at the end of the match, what he thought of the Terrasa man's words and whether he sees himself in his post.

"I am very sorry, he was doing a great job. I also saw Klopp, who announced his farewell. I don't know the reasons and I wish him the best. When there is news about my future, you will know; now, I am here and it is not and it is not the time to talk about it. I live in the present and my present is only Bologna. I am fine here. I'm enjoying this moment, it's fantastic, in good part, thanks to our fans," he said.

Thiago Motta began his coaching career in the youth ranks at PSG, the club where he hung up his boots, before a short spell at Genoa which was followed by a slightly longer spell at Spezia. He has now found stability at Bologna, with whom he has now made 58 appearances in charge and has managed to put them in contention for a place in Serie A's European play-off places.

 

January 28, 2024