Barcelona announced the separation of Rafael Márquez from Barça Atlètic After two seasons, despite having a contract for one more year, because the strategist is set to become Javier Aguirre’s assistant in the Mexican team.
“Rafa Marquez will not continue as coach of Barça AthleticThe Mexican coach has reached an agreement with the FC Barcelona to terminate his contract and take on a new professional challenge,” he said. Barcelonait’s a statement.
Marquezwho was a Barcelona player between 2003 and 2010, a period in which he won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, took charge of the Barcelona reserve team in the summer of 2022 and has been a key player in the development of the team during this period.
Márquez renewed his contract for one season last June, days after losing in the final of the playoffs for promotion to the second division of Spain against Córdoba. Thanks to his good performance in charge of the reserve team – 40 wins, 21 draws and 21 defeats in 82 games – the Barça board opted to keep him and had even considered him to replace Xavi Hernández in the first team.
The club has opted for him, with improvements in the contractual conditions, both sporting and financial. The importance of keeping the Kaiser on the reserve team bench also depended on the confidence that the players have in him.
The Mexican Football Federation, since last week, put a proposal on the table to Rafael Márquez. The former captain of Mexico would be Javier Aguirre’s assistant in the process leading up to the 2026 World Cup, to remain in charge of the Mexican team on the road to the 2030 World Cup.
The now ex-coach of Barça Athletic He had reached a verbal agreement with the Mexican federations, but he still had to terminate his contract with the Catalan team’s subsidiary, which had opened the door to him for the last two years.
“The Club thanks Rafa Marquez “his dedication and professionalism during all this time in which he has become a key player in the training of players, and wishes him the best of luck in the future both on a sporting and personal level,” the statement reads.
Rafael Marquez He is 45 years old and is one of the last figures of the Mexican teamplayed in five World Cups and was a multi-champion with the Barcelona during his time as a player. At the Catalan club he is seen as one of the future coaches for the Blaugranas.
The Mexican team Mexico is looking for a future project that will prevent Mexico from falling further in the FIFA rankings and will have the quality to compete in the 2026 World Cup, which it will host along with the United States and Canada. That is why the bet is on a duo between Rafael Márquez and Javier Aguirre.
Source: Ambito
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