Barcelona have reportedly drawn up a four-man shortlist of candidates who could replace Xavi Hernandez.
After Xavi said he would be stepping down as Barcelona manager come the end of the season, the Blaugrana have reportedly drawn up a four-man shortlist of tacticians who could replace him.
According to Sport, the five-time European champions have not wasted any time in searching for his replacement to carry out their long-term sporting project, and have decided that one of Roberto De Zerbi, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel or Julian Nagelsmann will be the club’s new head coach.
Jurgen Klopp was reportedly at the top of their wish list, but with the German tactician insistent on taking a sabbatical from football management once he leaves Liverpool in June, his acquisition is considered almost impossible.
Consequently, the Spanish club has turned its attention to the aforementioned.
De Zerbi is popular among those at the Camp Nou, but because he is still contracted with Brighton & Hove Albion, it is said the English side would want his release clause of €15 million (R311 million) to be paid if they are to let him go.
Flick does not have this issue as he is currently without a job, but there is apparently some apprehension among the club’s hierarchy over his appointment.
The Spanish champions are also unsure about Tuchel following his underwhelming first full season at Bayern Munich. The Bavarians are currently trailing league leaders Bayer Leverkusen by eight points in the Bundesliga, a division Bayern have won 11 times in a row before this season.
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The same report claims that Nagelsmann is the coach Barca are most confident of signing up as his contract with Germany is set to expire in July, but it is believed that, by Blaugrana sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta will have decided who they want as their next manager by the end of March.
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