he cover story of the Spanish publication SPORT has revealed that Barcelona have created a shortlist of five potential candidates to replace Xavi as head coach for the next season.
This list includes Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel, Hansi Flick, Rafa Marquez, and Thiago Motta.
The decision to consider new managers comes as Xavi faces criticism from the club’s management over his comments about Barcelona’s financial issues.
Club president Joan Laporta has decided to take a week to reflect on the situation, which has added to the uncertainty within the team. The players are eager to know what the plan for the next season will be and want stability in the club’s direction.
Marquez and Flick favourites?
Despite the financial challenges, Barcelona’s management is exploring their options. Among the five candidates, Marquez and Flick seem to be in the strongest positions.
The Mexican has been making a positive impression with his work in the youth team, and Flick is currently available as he is not tied to any club, making negotiations straightforward.
De Zerbi, who is currently with Brighton, has announced he will leave at the end of the season. However, there are rumours that he might be heading back to Italy, with potential positions at Juventus or Milan.
What about Tuchel and Motta?
Tuchel, who is expected to leave Bayern Munich after finishing third this season, is another candidate.
Although Bayern Munich have offered him a chance to stay, with support from the team’s dressing room, Tuchel has declined the offer as he does not wish to continue there.
Thiago Motta, currently managing Bologna, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. However, his agent stated that Motta does not like to offer himself to clubs that already have a manager, suggesting a move might be less likely.
As of now, nothing is confirmed regarding Xavi’s future or the appointment of a new manager at Barcelona. However, if they decide to move on from Xavi, these five candidates are considered valuable options for the role.
