Barcelona have started to make decisions about their next manager, and certainly sporting director Deco has made it clear to exclude different options, moving Barcelona away from names like Ruben Amorim, Thiago Motta, Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola.
However, there have been a large number of names linked to the position, and says Gerard Romero that Barcelona has narrowed its shortlist to just three candidates, one of whom is Italian, one of whom is German, and one of whom is Spanish.
A number of the names linked fit that criteria, although the Italian option would most clearly seem to be the Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi. He has a €12 million release clause in his contract and is expected to be in high demand this summer.
🚨 Thomas Tuchel is another option to replace Xavi. A few weeks ago, the possibility of Tuchel seemed almost impossible for Barça. However, there is now a sense that there might be a way to pursue this option. He has always been tempted to train in the Spanish league. If Barcelona… pic.twitter.com/ImC5YvW3U8
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 13, 2024
Several German coaches have been linked with the role, most notably former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick. Julian Nagelsmann and current Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel have also been suggested as options. The former does not have a contract with Germany beyond the summer, and there is a sense that Tuchel could leave Bayern at the end of the year.
Finally, the Spanish manager is perhaps the hardest job. Garcia Pimienta, Michel Sanchez and Imanol Alguacil have stepped away from the job, and the speculation surrounding them has subsided. More recently, reports have emerged that a section of the The Barcelona board likes Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso – his signature also seems impossible, given the demand for him and his links with former clubs Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid.
