Barcelona have studied 45-year-old Dutch manager as a candidate to succeed Xavi

With Barcelona continuing their search for a new manager to take over from Xavi Hernandez at the end of the season, several names are being linked with the club.

The likes of Hansi Flick, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Nagelsmann are seen as strong contenders, although reports today suggested that PSG manager Luis Enrique is the preferred candidate within the Barça administration.

However, Barça are keeping their options open and looking at other candidates as well, even though they might not be most-fancied or big names.

Arne Slot studied by Barcelona

Indeed, as per SPORT, Barcelona have taken a look at Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as a possible candidate to succeed Xavi.

However, the 45-year-old Dutch tactician is not seen as a priority option within the Catalan club’s offices.

Slot has been in charge of Feyenoord since 2021 and has done a fine job, leading the team to the Dutch Eredivisie title last season.

The Dutch manager has built a solid project with limited resources and has his team playing an enterprising, attacking brand of football that has caught Barça’s eyes.

Slot would like Barcelona job

Arne Slot has done a fine job at Feyenoord. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

In the past, Arne Slot has professed his desire to manage Barcelona if a chance ever presented itself.

During an interview last year, when asked to name the one team he would love to manage, Slot replied: “Barcelona”.

The 45-year-old also admitted that he preferred former Barça head coach Pep Guardiola over Jose Mourinho.

Given the way his team plays and the project he has built at Feyenoord, Slot does tick a lot of boxes for Barcelona. And while his name has been studied, the Dutchman is not seen as a priority by the Blaugrana at this moment.