Barcelona eyeing 49-year-old Portuguese tactician to replace Xavi, manager open to move

Xavi may have made his decision to leave Barcelona well in advance, yet, his announcement of the same after the team’s clash against Villarreal left the footballing world in shock.

Amidst the team’s poor run of results and the growing pressure, talks of a departure were well set in the Spanish media.

However, the manner in which it came as a surprise was anti-climactic, leaving the board scampering in the hunt for a summer replacement.

The option in Portugal

According to reports from SPORT, the Barcelona administration is considering both experienced options as well as younger candidates with a past at the club.

One name that resounds as an option is Porto manager Sergio Conceiçao.

The Portuguese manager ticks several of the boxes that Barcelona demands, right from his experience in top-flight football to his ability to maximise the most from economic constraints. Further, he is no stranger to working with and developing young talents.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, shares good relations with the Barcelona administration, thus aligning another factor towards his arrival.

Conceicao a candidate to replace Xavi. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Free in the summer

As continued by the SPORT, Conceiçao is out of contract with Porto on June 30th and has no intention of continuing with the club.

The 49-year-old is looking for a new challenge, and the option of managing Barcelona would appeal to the Portuguese tactician.

As for the Catalans’ stance, Joan Laporta and Co. are said to be impressed by the performances Porto produced against Barcelona in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League this season.

Needless to say, that only furthers Conceiçao’s case to be the team’s next manager and Xavi’s replacement.

For now, the faith in Xavi is complete until the end of the season. As for his replacement, no decision has been made yet, but Conceicao remains an option.