Barcelona president Joan Laporta and his board are split on Al Sadd coach Xavi as Ronald Koeman's successor.
Sport says Xavi is the preferred option to replace Koeman for many of the Barcelona board, but he's not Laporta's first pick.
The Barça president was keen for Xavi to return to the club as B team coach, like Pep Guardiola did, but it's not something the club's former captain will consider.
For now, as revealed on Wednesday in SPORT, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is the candidate Laporta is most in favour of.
Months ago, Laporta made it clear he wasn't convinced Xavi was ready for the first team: "He needs a bit more experience. That's what the club needs. It's the same as we did with Rijkaard, who laid the foundations, and Guardiola, who brought excellence. This situation requires experience."