In a surprising turn of events, Rafa Márquez will be leaving Barça Athletic, the Barcelona B team that nearly secured promotion to La Liga Smartbank, Spain's second division.

According to TUDN, the former defender has accepted an offer from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) to join the coaching staff of Javier Aguirre, who is rumored to be the new head coach of the Mexican national team.

This development comes as a shock to the Blaugrana institution, as "El Káiser" is leaving just two days before the start of training sessions. Márquez had recently renewed his contract with Barça Athletic, having previously turned down offers from the Mexican national team.

With this move, it seems likely that Márquez's contract termination with Barcelona will be immediate, with an official announcement expected as soon as tomorrow.

Barça Athletic now faces the urgent task of finding a new coach just before the season begins, while Márquez joins a staff aiming to revive a national team that has struggled in both the 2022 World Cup and the recent Copa América.