Following the news that Xavi will quit as Barcelona manager at the end of the season, the replacements are lining up.

The club legend will be stepping down after barely 18 months, opening up a vacancy at one of the biggest jobs in world football.

Two of his former teammates at the Camp Nou are among the runners and riders, Bologna’s Thiago Motta and Barca B’s Rafa Marquez.

Asked about the role after learning about Xavi’s departure, Marquez commented: “Who wouldn’t want to be Barça coach? I will continue preparing, it is only my second season as a coach.

“You can’t say no to an opportunity like that.”

Motta too was asked after Bologna’s 2-2 Serie A draw with Milan and said: “I’m very sorry, he was doing a great job. I also saw [Jurgen] Klopp 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, I am not here today to talk about it, and it is not even the time to talk about it.

“I live in the present and my present is only Bologna. I’m fine here. I’m enjoying this moment, it’s fantastic, largely thanks to our fans.”

Motta is Barca president Joan Laporta’s first choice according to Cadena SER, but the players have another name in mind.

Catalan outlet Sport claim the players want Luis Enrique to return to the club.

The Spaniard, who is currently in charge of PSG, last coached Barca from 2014 to 2017, when he won a European treble.

Two of his players from that time are still at the club, with Marc Andre ter Stegen and Sergi Roberto now senior figures in the dressing room.

On top of that, Luis Enrique has coached Pedri, Gavi and others while at Spain, and clearly left a mark on them.