Barcelona director approves of 49-year-old Jorge Mendes client as replacement for Xavi

With Xavi announcing his decision to step down from his position as the first-team manager of FC Barcelona at the end of the season, the search for his replacement is already underway.

The 44-year-old took over the team during a difficult phase and led them to success last season, but things have not been going all too well this time out, prompting him to make the decision.

As was revealed by Barcelona president Joan Laporta earlier this week, sporting director Deco is already looking at possible replacements to take over from Xavi in the summer.

One of the names being linked to the job is FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao, and there appears to be some development on that front.

Deco approves of Conceicao

As per a report from Catalunya Radio (h/t Actualite Barça), Barcelona sporting director Deco approves of Sergio Conceicao as the replacement for Xavi at the end of the season.

Conceicao, 49, is in the final six months of his contract with Porto, and even though he is yet to announce it officially, the Portuguese tactician is set to leave when the deal runs out.

The Porto manager is represented by superagent Jorge Mendes, who enjoys an excellent relationship with Joan Laporta and has some degree of influence within the club.

Deco is an admirer of Conceicao. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Mendes also happens to represent other potential candidates for Barcelona such as Rafa Marquez and Thiago Motta. But Conceicao appears to be his best bet and the Porto boss also has the approval of Deco.

Other options

It is well-established at this point that the likes of Hansi Flick and Jurgen Klopp are very much on the agenda at Barcelona, with club president Joan Laporta an admirer of the German tacticians.

Meanwhile, from La Liga, Imanol Alguacil of Real Sociedad and Girona’s Michel are admired, although the former has already ruled himself out of contention for the job.

Apart from Marquez, Conceicao, and Motta, Mendes also has Jose Mourinho on his client list, but that option is unlikely to be pursued by Barcelona.