Xavi could be 'replaced as Barcelona boss BEFORE the end of the season', with 'his potential successor lined up' following their Champions League exit

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  •  Xavi announced his intention to leave Barca at the end of the season in January
  • Defeat in Sunday's El Clasico would leave them 11 points behind Real Madrid 
  • Arsenal must recover in Munich - they can't carry the fear from Villa loss into Champions League showdown - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast 

Outgoing Barcelona manager Xavi could be replaced before the end of the season if defeat in Sunday's El Clasico follows their Champions League elimination, according to reports in Spain. 

Xavi has remained adamant he will not reverse his decision to leave the club at the end of the campaign despite moves by the hierarchy to keep him in post. 

However, following Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to PSG, which saw them crash out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, the 44-year-old is reportedly now at risk of losing his position in the coming days. 

According to Diario AS, defeat by Real Madrid, which would all but confirm their rivals as LaLiga champions, could lead to his immediate ouster and replacement by Barcelona B boss and former team-mate Rafael Marquez. 

The report states that the club are not in a position financially to attract a more high-profile manager. 

According to reports in Spain, outgoing Barcelona boss Xavi could leave the club before the end of the season

According to reports in Spain, outgoing Barcelona boss Xavi could leave the club before the end of the season

According to reports in Spain, outgoing Barcelona boss Xavi could leave the club before the end of the season

As recently as Tuesday, club president Joan Laporta had indicated that they would continue to try and persuade their former midfielder to remain beyond the campaign

As recently as Tuesday, club president Joan Laporta had indicated that they would continue to try and persuade their former midfielder to remain beyond the campaign

Former team-mate and current Barcelona B manager Rafael Marquez is the frontrunner for the job

Former team-mate and current Barcelona B manager Rafael Marquez is the frontrunner for the job

The development comes only a day after Barcelona president Joan Laporta hinted at a desire to keep Xavi in his role beyond the end of the current term. 

'We will discuss this issue at the end of the season.' he told Mundo Deportivo. '[Xavi] is doing very well. He expressed himself in the sense in which he expressed himself, I understand that everything is open and everything is revisable. 

'I understood that there have been circumstances that led him to do what he did. But at the end of the season, we will talk. There is time to talk about it.'

Ex-Barca manager and current PSG boss Luis Enrique also called on the legendary midfielder to stay, after his side prevailed in the thrilling last-eight tie. 

'Xavi is the ideal coach for Barca,' the 2015 Champions League-winning boss said. 'I hope and wish that he continues to be so for many more years, but it is not my decision.' 

Xavi's response was a blunt 'no' when later questioned on the possibility of remaining. 

Following a 5-3 home defeat by Villarreal in January, he announced that he would walk away from the club after two-and-a-half years in charge, citing a lack of respect, appreciation and mounting pressure amid a difficult spell. 

Though, interestingly, Barcelona then proceeded to go on a 13-game unbeaten run, finally ended by their defeat by the Parisians. 

Former Barca and current PSG manager Luis Enrique implored Xavi to stay at the club and said he is their 'ideal' boss

Former Barca and current PSG manager Luis Enrique implored Xavi to stay at the club and said he is their 'ideal' boss

Enrique side dumped Barca out of the Champions League after an incident-packed 4-1 win

Enrique side dumped Barca out of the Champions League after an incident-packed 4-1 win

He told reporters last week that he was convinced their uptick in form would not have been possible without his announcement but maintained that 'nothing has changed' when asked if he would reconsider.

Defeat in Sunday's El Clasico could see Carlo Ancelotti's side open up an 11 point lead over Barcelona with eight games left to play.  

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