BARCELONA have reportedly compiled a shortlist of eight potential managers to replace Xavi Hernandez, with four of the Premier League’s creme de la creme in hiring-range.
Xavi announced last month that he would be leaving Barca this summer, which marks the end of his third season.
In a press conference that shocked fans, he said the club needed a ‘change of dynamic,’ and he was taking the decision for ‘the good of the board, and the club.’
The announcement came off the back of a 5-3 loss at home to Villarael who currently sit 14th in LaLiga, a defeat that reflected Barcelona’s struggle to find form this season.
Xavi’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season anyway, but his statement shut down any potential of his staying on at the club.
All eyes turned to his replacement and Deportivo Mundo claim the following names are in the frame.
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Mikel Arteta
The Arsenal boss is a logical proposition seeing as he came through Barcelona’s academy himself and his attacking style of play already suits the Nou Camp club.
But Arteta recently shut down rumours of a potential move to Barca as ‘fake news’, not to mention his contract at Arsenal doesn’t officially expire until 2025.
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Luis Enrique
The Paris Saint-Germain manager is an attractive prospect given he coached the club when they won a Treble in 2015 and is aligned with the attacking Barca style of play.
But he’s in the same boat as Arteta, currently sitting on a contract that does not expire until next year, and Mundo reckons he ‘usually fulfils his commitments.’
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Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian has masterminded the meteoric rise of The Seagulls which landed them in sixth place last season and bang slap into the Europa League.
De Zerbi’s dynamic style suits Barca, but Mundo point out his lack of experience managing players of the very top calibre might stand against him.
Xabi Alonso
Alonso is having something of a golden hour as he leads the Bundesliga table with Bayern Leverkusen as well as the betting to replace Klopp at Liverpool, where he used to be a star player.
He ticks all the boxes in terms of style of play, but might be hindered by his links with other clubs; firstly Liverpool, and also Real Madrid, where he spent five years coaching.
Hansi Flick
The ex-German coach has ‘personality and good taste for the game’ , although it did not prevent him from being the first German coach ever to get the sack after the national team lost 4-1 to Japan.
He does have an impressive record with Bayern Munich under his belt, and president Joan Laporta is reportedly ‘attracted to the German school of technicians.’
Unai Emery
Emery’s having a brilliant season with Aston Villa, and his hefty coaching experience at Almeria, Valencia, Arsenal and Villarreal will add to his cause too.
But his disaster at PSG in the Champions League in 2017, when he threw away a 4-0 lead to lose 6-1 to Barcelona, may still hang over him.
Jurgen Klopp
Earlier this season Klopp made the bombshell announcement that he would be leaving The Reds come the end of the season, citing burnout as the reason.
This makes him a far-fetched option, but Mundo notes that Laporta still admires the intensity of Klopp’s game as well as his character.
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Sergio Conceicao
The current Porto manager’s contract will expire in June and the Portugese club are assuming he will not be staying on.
However, his reputation as being an ‘unflexibe’ coach with a ‘volcanic’ personality that he does not hide from the media is a factor that could put Barca off.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
