Barcelona have enquired about 39-year-old Portuguese manager, €30 million exit clause a problem

Barcelona are on the lookout for a new manager to take over from Xavi Hernandez at the end of the season, after the 44-year-old announced his decision to leave once the campaign is over.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has thus been forced to begin the search for a replacement for his former teammate and there has been no shortage of names being linked.

Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Roberto De Zerbi, and Mikel Arteta, among others, have been mentioned as possible candidates to take over the reins at the club in the summer.

Ruben Amorim emerges as an option

Now another manager has seemingly entered the race to replace Xavi as Barcelona’s next manager in the form of Ruben Amorim.

Indeed, as reported by Esport3, the 39-year-old tactician, currently in charge of Sporting CP, is on the Blaugrana’s radar, with the club already making enquiries about him.

As per the report, Amorim himself would be attracted by the possibility of becoming the manager of the Catalan heavyweights.

However, the 39-year-old has a contract with Sporting until 2026 which contains a €30 million release clause, which is seen as a major problem for Barcelona.

Ruben Amorim on Barcelona’s shortlist. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Deco knows Ruben Amorim

One of the points that might stack up in favour of Amorim is that he is someone that Barcelona sporting director Deco knows, with the pair having shared the dressing room with the Portugal national team during the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Beyond that, the 39-year-old sets up his teams to play attacking football and does not hesitate to count on young talents, which might earn him more points in the Barça hierarchy.

Since taking over at Sporting in 2020, he has won one league title, one Portuguese Super Cup and two Portuguese League Cup trophies.

And while his name might be under consideration at Barcelona, the €30 million exit clause will be a hurdle given the club’s financial situation.