44-year-old Premier League manager gaining strength as Xavi’s successor at Barcelona

With Xavi Hernandez announcing his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, the search for a new manager is already underway at the Catalan club.

And the rumour mill is buzzing ever since the announcement was made on Saturday, with a host of managers from across Europe being linked to Barça.

Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Luis Enrique, Imanol Alguacil, and Thiago Motta are some of the names understood to be under consideration at Can Barça to replace Xavi in the summer.

Roberto De Zerbi a strong contender

Another name that is seemingly gaining strength as the successor to Xavi at Barcelona is that of Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, reports MARCA’s Luis F Rojo.

De Zerbi, 44, first burst to fame during his stint at Sassuolo in Italy, where he spent three years between 2018 and 2021.

Following that, the Italian tactician had a stint at Shakhtar Donetsk before taking over at Brighton in September 2022, where he has done a sterling job.

Indeed, under De Zerbi, the Seagulls qualified for Europe for the first time in their history, after finishing sixth in the Premier League. They are doing well this term, too, as they occupy seventh place in the league standings.

De Zerbi has admirers at Barcelona

Xavi’s successor? (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

As per the report, De Zerbi has a lot of admirers at Barcelona owing to the work he has done at Brighton & Hove Albion, with the 44-year-old having the profile they are looking for to manage the first team.

Indeed, the Barça Sporting Directorate wants a coach who already has experience in Europe, who combines youth with energy, and who arrives with a hunger to win. De Zerbi fits this profile.

De Zerbi is under contract with Brighton until 2026 and the club want to renew his deal for another year and raise his clause to €20 million. But Barcelona are not deterred by that and see him as one of the best fits for the job.

Other names like Barça Atletic’s Rafa Marquez and Arsenal’s Arteta are also under consideration, although the latter has already distanced himself from the job.