7 Potential Candidates to Replace Xavi at Barcelona: Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi Among Contenders

Barcelona has initiated their search for a new manager as Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season, with potential candidates like Mikel Arteta being linked to the vacant Nou Camp hotseat.

By: Anna Ciao

01/29/2024 03:50

Barcelona is in search of a new manager as Xavi revealed his decision to step down at the end of the season. Despite being one of the greatest players in the club's history, Xavi's departure comes after two challenging seasons at the Nou Camp, with Barcelona facing difficulties defending their La Liga title. The club has been navigating challenges off the pitch as they adjust to the post-Lionel Messi era.

Despite financial challenges, Barcelona has made new signings to strengthen the squad, and the upcoming manager will be entrusted with optimizing the performance of players like Pedri, Gavi, and Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona's reputation remains appealing to some of the most prominent names in coaching. The key question now is: who will assume the role?

Several top managers in the football world are already rumored to be potential candidates for the soon-to-be vacant position. While some of them are currently employed, Barcelona might need to negotiate their departure. Let's explore the options that the Nou Camp leadership might consider pursuing.

Mikel Arteta

The Arsenal manager has unequivocally demonstrated his managerial prowess in recent years, dispelling earlier doubts at the Emirates. Arteta's coaching education under Pep Guardiola adds to his appeal for Barcelona's leadership.

Given Arteta's Spanish heritage, he has been frequently considered as a potential future manager for the Nou Camp. His footballing philosophy aligns well with the style preferred by many players at the Catalan club. The decision may hinge on Arteta's aspirations at Arsenal and whether he intends to see through his ongoing project. Presently, he stands out as one of the most impressive young managers in European football.

Roberto De Zerbi

Currently overachieving with Brighton, Graham Potter has showcased his ability to enhance player development, drawing attention from prominent clubs. Although an unknown entity when appointed at the Amex, he is now a figure whose next career move is eagerly anticipated.

De Zerbi, on the other hand, has yet to manage one of Europe's elite clubs, which would expose him to a level of pressure not experienced at Brighton. Despite working with a smaller budget, he has consistently posed a challenge to some of the Premier League's top teams, employing a style that would resonate with the purists at Barcelona.

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel, a renowned figure in European football with notable achievements, including winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, is currently managing Bayern Munich. While the Bayern position initially seemed ideal, reports suggest dissatisfaction within the club amid uncertain Bundesliga title prospects.

Tuchel has expressed feeling valued when working outside Germany and has a proven appetite for challenges, successfully managing teams like PSG. The prospect of navigating the intricacies of Barcelona's environment wouldn't intimidate him, as he hinted at the appeal of moving abroad, specifically mentioning Spain's extraordinary league, in the aftermath of Xavi's announcement.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso, an emerging Spanish coach, currently making waves with Bayer Leverkusen, could become a coveted figure for top European managerial positions if he manages to break Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance. While Barcelona might express interest, competition from Liverpool, where Alonso is considered a favorite to succeed Jurgen Klopp, could arise. Alonso's managerial career is in its early stages, but his impressive approach to coaching has garnered attention, even though potential obstacles, such as his association with Real Madrid, could affect the pursuit of his services by Barcelona.

Rafael Marquez

Rafael Márquez, currently the coach of Barcelona B, presents an unconventional but intriguing option for the top managerial role at Barcelona despite his limited experience. Having played under the legendary Catalan Pep Guardiola during the latter part of his career, Márquez is seen by many as having received an ideal education for a coaching career. While considered an outside choice, Barcelona has a history of valuing internal promotions, and Márquez has expressed openness to the possibility of taking on the role if offered.

Thiago Motta

Another former Barcelona player in the mix is Thiago Motta, who played for the club before moving on to Inter Milan and PSG, where he won the Champions League. Despite his limited managerial experience, Motta has been considered for coaching roles at some of Europe's prominent clubs.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta is reportedly a fan of Motta's work at Bologna, where he has transformed the team from relegation strugglers to a competitive side. While Motta has not provided clear insights into his future plans, he remains an intriguing candidate for the managerial position.

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.