28 January 2024 , 22:53
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Barcelona are on the hunt for a new manager after Xavi announced he would step down at the end of the season.
The Spaniard, who is one of the greatest players the Catalan club have ever seen, will have spent two full campaigns at the Nou Camp, but will leave with the club struggling to defend their La Liga crown. Barcelona have endured their struggles off the pitch as they continue to adapt to life post-Lionel Messi.
Despite their financial issues, a number of new signings have still arrived to bolster the squad and now a new man will be tasked with getting the best from the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona's allure will always be attractive to some of the biggest names in the dugout. So the question now is: who will take over?
Several of the game's top managers are already being linked with the role that will soon be vacant. Few of them are out of a job, however, which may leave Barcelona negotiating someone's exit package. We take a look at the options who the Nou Camp hierarchy could pursue.
Mikel Arteta
The Arsenal manager has more than proved himself over the past couple of years having previously been doubted at the Emirates. His education began under Pep Guardiola and that is likely to appeal to the bosses in Barcelona.
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Arteta's Spanish roots have seen him tipped as a future boss at the Nou Camp and his philosophy would suit many of the players currently at the Catalan club. Much may depend on what his ambitions are at Arsenal and whether he would want to see out his project. Currently though he is one of the most impressive young managers in Europe.
Roberto De Zerbi
Currently punching well above his weight with Brighton, improving players in a way that has plenty of the big teams keeping watch. The Italian was an unknown commodity when he was hired at the Amex but everyone is now waiting to see where he makes his next move.
Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi have both seen their stocks rise in recent years (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)De Zerbi is yet to work at one of Europe's elite clubs, which would bring with it pressure he doesn't currently have at Brighton. Nevertheless, he's continued to be a match for the Premier League's biggest clubs on a smaller budget, playing in a style that would appeal to the purists in Barcelona.
Thomas Tuchel
He's one of Europe's biggest names and has the trophies to back it up, claiming Champions League glory back in 2021 with Chelsea. Tuchel is now at Bayern Munich, which looked as if it would be an ideal match, but there are murmurs of discontent in Bavaria.
The Bundesliga title is by no means assured, which would be a nightmare for the bosses at the Allianz Arena. Tuchel has mentioned how he felt valued when he worked outside his homeland and the German has certainly got the appetite for a challenge, leading the likes of PSG and wouldn't be intimidated by the politics in Barcelona.
Speaking on Sunday, in the aftermath of Xavi's announcement, Tuchel added fuel to the fire as he told a Bayern fan club: "Moving abroad would appeal to me again. Spain has an extraordinary league."
Xabi Alonso
Another sensational young Spanish coach. If Alonso does indeed end Bayern's Bundesliga dominance with Bayer Leverkusen he may have the pick of Europe's top jobs. The former Liverpool midfielder's managerial career is very much in its infancy, but he's impressing the right people.
Thomas Tuchel is proven across Europe but Xabi Alonso is more than matching him currently in GermanyBarcelona may well be keen on Alonso but they could face competition from Liverpool, where the Spaniard is favourite to take over from Jurgen Klopp. Another man whose style would suit the Nou Camp, but they could face further obstacles, such as his association with Real Madrid.
Rafael Marquez
The Barcelona B coach taking the top job with minimal experience - we've seen that before. Marquez played the latter part of his career under legendary Catalan Guardiola and many see that as the ideal education for a man looking to make his way in the dugout.
Marquez is certainly an outside option, but the Spanish club have shown time and time again how much they value internal promotion. The Mexican has already been quizzed on the vacancy and made it clear he wouldn't turn it down were he to receive the call.
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Thiago Motta
Another former Barcelona player, going on to ply his trade at Inter Milan and PSG. He is a Champions League winner and has been considered for some of Europe's biggest jobs despite his lack of experience.
Thiago Motta is currently impressing at BolognaPresident Joan Laporta is understood to be a big fan of Motta's work at Bologna, where he's turned the Italian side from relegation strugglers to a team who punch above their weight. The Italian has remained coy on his future when quizzed in recent days.
Michel
La Liga high-flyers Girona stunned Barcelona at the Nou Camp earlier this season with Michel the mastermind behind that success. He's allowed the Spanish club to become involved in the title race, maximising the potential of all his players.
Michel has shown he's more than willing to play an open and expansive style, prioritising scoring goals even if that means they'll concede a few. He would almost certainly take up the role were it offered it to him but is by no means the big name candidate being considered.