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JOSE MOURINHO has been backed to replace Xavi as Barcelona manager by a club legend.The former translator and assistant boss has been linked with a shock return to the club this summer.Jose Mourinho has been backed to replace Xavi at BarcelonaCredit: GettyRivaldo has given six reasons why Mourinho would be a great fitCredit: GettyThat is despite the Barca fans’ hatred towards him from his time at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.Barcelona have yet to confirm Xavi’s replacement after he announced he would be leaving his role as manager at the end of the season.Former forward Rivaldo has now thrown Mourinho’s name into the mix and listed the six reasons why he is a great fit for the role.Rivaldo scored 130 goals in 235 appearances during five years with the Spanish giants.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis spell included working under Mourinho, who served as a translator and assistant manager to Louis van Gaal and Sir Bobby Robson.As a result, Rivaldo is convinced Mourinho is a great person and knows the club well enough to replace Xavi.The Brazilian told Betfair: “I do not see Guardiola joining Barcelona anytime soon.”I think the only realistic chance would be when he wants to move back home and enjoy more family life, which is easier for him in Barcelona, and can coach the team at the same time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So today it depends a lot more on him, but I think it’s very difficult for next season.”He’s doing well in England, and I think this return would also depend on the financial state of the club, and if they can bring players in for Guardiola.Jose Mourinho waves chequered flag at Portuguese GP as ex-Chelsea and Man Utd boss drops huge hint about football return”There are many fans who do not accept players or coaches who played for or managed their rival team. But Jose Mourinho has already been at Barcelona, with Sir Bobby Robson, and he is a great person.”Of course, his intensity as a coach, and sometimes being controversial with his own fans could be a concern from the beginning, but he is a winner.”Considering that he is without a club and the situation at Barcelona, in my opinion, it is easier for him to join the team than Guardiola right now, and I think It would be a great signing for Barcelona, even though some fans don’t like the name.”Without a doubt he would do a great job, he knows the team, the Spanish league, the Champions League and has a lot of experience.”Rivaldo’s reasons for appointing MourinhoRivaldo has listed six reasons Jose Mourinho would be a good fit to replace Xavi at Barcelona.

Knows the club – worked as a translator and assistant manager between 1996 and 2000
Great person
Free agent – left Roma back in January
Knows the league – won a LaLiga title during time at Real Madrid
Champions League winner – titles with Porto (2004) and Inter (2010)
Experienced – 37-year coaching career has seen him win 26 major trophies

Mourinho is currently without a club after leaving Roma in January, whilst alternative Pep Guardiola has another year left on his Manchester City deal.The former Chelsea boss also has experience in LaLiga, having won a league title during his three years with Real Madrid.Meanwhile, his 37-year coaching career has seen him win 26 major trophies, including the Champions League with both Porto and Inter. More

BARCELONA’S dressing room is reportedly divided into FOUR clans.It comes after an astonishing row broke out between Ilkay Gundogan and Ronald Araujo this week.Barcelona’s dressing room is divided into four clans amid the row between Ilkay Gundogan and Ronald AraujoCredit: RexAraujo was singled out by his team-mate after the club’s Champions League exitCredit: GettyThe German midfielder singled out his team-mate after their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.Araujo’s sending off proved to be the turning point in the 4-1 second leg loss.Gundogan’s wife has since come out in his defence but the dressing room appears far from harmonious.According to Sport, the squad is divided into four clans with players mixing based on age, language and nationality.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe report claims the players are split between youth, Spanish-speaking, English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking.Summer signing Gundogan is said to be part of the English-speaking group which features Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong.Meanwhile, despite hailing from Spanish-speaking Uruguay, Araujo is close to Raphinha and the rest of the Portuguese speaking players.Despite the clans, some players are said to mix across the groups.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBarcelona’s ‘dressing room clans’According to Sport, the Barcelona dressing room is split into these four clans.
Spanish-speaking:

Gavi
Pedri
Sergi Roberto
Ferran Torres
Marcos Alonso
Inigo Martinez

Youth:

Pau Cubarsi
Hector Fort
Marc Guiu
Fermin Lopez
Lamine Yamal
Ander Astralaga
Marc Casado

English-speaking:

Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Frenkie de Jong
Robert Lewandowski
Ilkay Gundogan
Andreas Christensen

Portuguese-speaking:

Joao Cancelo
Joao Felix
Vitor Roque
Raphinha
Ronald Araujo

English-speaking Marc-Andre ter Stegen and De Jong are close to Spain’s Sergi Roberto.The trio have good relationships which extend to their partners, says the report.Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable as new footage reveals crane on pitch and every single seat removedElsewhere, Brazilians Raphinha and Vitor Roque are very close, whilst Portugal team-mates Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix get on very well.Barcelona’s Champions League exit has all but ended their hopes of a trophy this season.The Spanish giants were beaten in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey and lost to Real Madrid in the Super Cup final.Xavi’s side are also sit second in LaLiga eight points adrift of their El Clasico rivals with seven matches remaining. More

REAL MADRID’S Santiago Bernabeu has a four-storey underground greenhouse below the pitch.The iconic stadium’s latest renovation work saw the capacity increased to 85,000.The Santiago Bernabeu looks unrecognisable with its underground greenhouseCredit: Real MadridReal Madrid’s iconic stadium has installed a retractable pitchCredit: Real MadridThe incredible new stadium has a capacity of 85,000Credit: AFPThe pitch is now stored and maintained underground when not in useCredit: Real MadridAs part of the project, an extra tier was built alongside a 360 degree big screen and new look exterior.Although fans did compare the renovated ground to an AIR FRYER when the roof was closed for the recent Champions League clash with Manchester City.Another hidden detail was also added by the Spanish giants, with the full extent now revealed.New images show how Real Madrid’s retractable pitch is maintained when not in use.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe playing surface is stored within an underground greenhouse that provides ventilation, air conditioning and LED lighting.Control and irrigation systems also help aid the growth of the grass and maintain the condition of the pitch.Los Blancos unveiled their greenhouse earlier this year after fans were baffled by the missing pitch in pictures of the new ground.Instead, the turf was underground inside the greenhouse as staff worked to prepare it for matchday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSReal Madrid’s stadium was expanded last year as part of renovation work which began in 2020.Whilst work is still continuing on the exterior, the club were able to return to their home since 1947 after just one season away.Staggering final cost of new Bernabeu revealed after Real Madrid move into state-of-the-art 85,000-capacity stadiumThe 2020/21 campaign was instead spent at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.Both the club’s reserve and women’s teams continue to play their home matches at the 6,000-capacity venue.The new stadium has been compared to an air fryer with the roof closedCredit: TNT SportsReal Madrid unveiled their retractable pitch earlier this yearCredit: Real MadridThe playing surface is now looked after in the four-storey underground greenhouseCredit: Real Madrid More

BARCELONA are hoping to return to the Camp Nou later this year at a reduced capacity.The stadium is currently being renovated and expanded to a 105,000 capacity.Barcelona plan to return to the Camp Nou later this year with a reduced capacityCredit: EPAThe stadium was left half demolished after renovation work began last summerCredit: FC Barcelona via YouTube / SportsRenderHowever, Barca are now planning to reopen their home at 60 per cent of the capacity.That is despite the venue being left half demolished during the renovation work.Seats and the pitch were removed as construction got underway in June 2023.The club had hoped to return in time for their 125th anniversary on November 29.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHowever, Mundo Deportivo now report the hope is for the Camp Nou to reopen on December 15.Barcelona have made a request to LaLiga for their first match back to be on that date.The reduced capacity means 63,000 seats of the new 105,000 capacity will be available.Permission has also been granted to extend the working hours of the renovations, the report adds.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile, Barca have installed 14 new hospitality boxes which are available for 8,000 Euros each.The final completion of the renovations is scheduled for June 2026.Legendary stadium looks unrecognisable as club reveal ‘insane’ CGI footage of the renovation plansBarcelona have been playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys during the construction.The 55,926-capacity venue is the former home of their city rivals Espanyol.During their temporary stay, Barca were beaten in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Athletic Bilbao in January.Paris Saint-Germain then dumped Xavi’s side out of the Champions League this week.The club legend is set to step down as manager at the end of the season.His team are currently second in LaLiga, eight points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in the table.The Camp Nou’s capacity has been expanded to 105,000Credit: EPABarca hope to return on December 15 with 63,000 supporters in attendanceCredit: FC Barcelona via YouTube / SportsRender More