01 March 2024 , 17:43
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Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona they should look to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next boss.
The Nou Camp hierarchy are considering their next move after Xavi announced he would be leaving the club this summer. Barcelona look set to relinquish their La Liga crown with Real Madrid eight points clear at the top.
Two former Bayern Munich bosses - Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel - are both on their shortlist but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has consulted Guardiola for his opinion. The Catalan has told the club's chief that he would go after the Brighton boss if he were making the decision, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The main issue for Barcelona is set to be De Zerbi's release clause, which the Spanish side are reportedly unwilling to pay. The Seagulls have tied down their manager and will have to be well compensated if they are to let him go with the Italian's reputation on the rise.
De Zerbi arrived in England as an unknown quantity with Brighton seeking a replacement for Graham Potter. Quickly though their new manager began highlighting his value and he's taken the south coast outfit into Europe for the first time.
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Guardiola poured praise on the Seagulls boss last year: "There is no team playing the way they play - it's unique. I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great - I didn't expect him to do it in this short space of time. He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents. He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn't been for a long time. They deserve completely the success they have."
Pep Guardiola has been hugely complimentary of the Brighton bossBarcelona are by no means the force of old, despite spending big in recent years to become a major European force once again. They've only won La Liga once in the past four years but do have a host of talented players, including academy graduates Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
Brighton star Adam Lallana said earlier this season: “Of course, there’s going to be interest and eventually he’s going to manage a top, top, top team, it’s just a fact. But especially at the moment, he understands he’s got it nice here at the minute, he’s enjoying his time here and we can all feel that as players.”
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