28 January 2024 , 22:18
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Mikel Arteta is on Barcelona’s hit list to replace departing boss Xavi.
Arteta has 18 months left on his deal with Arsenal but the rebuilding job at the Emirates has won him plenty of admirers at the ailing Catalan giants. The Spaniard has transformed Arsenal from also rans into genuine title contenders since taking over from Unai Emery, and also lead them to FA Cup glory in 2020.
And Arsenal are convinced he remains happy at the Emirates and is in for the long-haul because of his deep affection for the club and desire to keep on challenging Manchester City for honours.
But despite their financial woes, Barca believe an approach from the club where he began his professional playing career could tempt Arteta in the summer. And the timing could be perfect for Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has vowed he will not sack Xavi before the end of the season.
Xavi announced after Saturday’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal that he will stand down as Barca boss, claiming the team he represented with such distinction as a player needed “a change of course and of dynamics”. Laporta insisted he is happy with that arrangement and has no plans to oust Xavi before the end of the campaign.
“He is an honest person, acts with total dignity and loves Barca,” said Laporta. “I accept it because I know that he will be fully committed until the end of the season. It is a formula I accept because Xavi proposed it and he is a Barcelona legend.”
The loss to Villarreal left Barcelona way off the pace in the La Liga title race while the Catalan club have already been eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
Xavi will quit Barcelona at the end of the season (Getty Images) “The league will be tough to win, but it’s not impossible,” Laporta added. “We have to compete until the end and see what happens. We’ll need the support of our fans so we can try to win the Champions League. We’ll go step by step. With everyone’s commitment, I believe that we can still reach some of the goals that we had set for the season.”
Other names in the frame to replace Xavi include Michel, the boss of high flying Girona, Barcelona ‘B’ team manager Rafa Marquez and Bologna head coach Thiago Motta, the latter two options having enjoyed huge success while playing for Barca.