Barcelona president has not called Pep Guardiola for advice over next manager – report

Over the past week, there were numerous reports suggesting that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had taken a keen interest in Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi as a successor for Xavi.

It was suggested that Manchester City manager and ex-Barça boss Pep Guardiola had himself recommended the name of De Zerbi to Laporta, following which the latter was closely watching Brighton’s matches to learn how the Italian’s team plays.

Laporta has not called Xavi

However, according to Xavi Torres, Barcelona president Laporta has not called Pep Guardiola and sought his advice over the club’s next managerial appointment.

It is no secret that Guardiola’s words carry a lot of weight in Barça given that he is a legend at the club for everything he achieved as a player and a manager in Catalonia.

However, up until now, Laporta has not contacted the former manager to discuss the next managerial appointment with Xavi set to leave at the end of the season.

Deco in charge of identifying candidates

Deco and Laporta are working on finding Xavi’s successor. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona sporting director Deco is in charge of identifying potential candidates to replace Xavi in the summer. But the final call rests with Laporta himself and at this point, there has been no final decision.

However, it was suggested earlier today that there may be a consensus between Deco and Laporta over rehiring former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

But the Spaniard’s contract at PSG runs until 2025 and the relations between the two clubs are strained, meaning any move would be complicated.

De Zerbi remains a contender for the job, though, as do Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, and Hansi Flick.