Deco, Laporta identify former Barcelona manager as the favourite to replace Xavi

The internal debates within the Barcelona board over the choice of the next coach have only intensified in recent weeks.

As we approach the final phase of the campaign, there is growing pressure on the Barcelona board to finalize their choice.

There are two key players in Barcelona’s bid to hire a new manager – sporting director Deco and club president Joan Laporta.

Barcelona’s favourite – Luis Enrique

Deco is responsible for combing through all the options and proposing names. The Barcelona sporting director already seems to have a favourite in the form of Luis Enrique.

Despite the availability of so many German coaches this summer, Deco believes it is Enrique who can once again lead the club forward and build a lasting legacy.

Enrique is quite familiar with the way Barcelona and had enjoyed tremendous success during his first spell at Camp Nou.

Even Laporta agrees with Deco’s choice and the two have reached a consensus that Enrique will be an ideal replacement for Xavi, according to AS.

Barcelona face multiple roadblocks

However, securing the services of Luis Enrique ahead of the coming summer will be far from easy. The Spaniard had just joined PSG last summer and it is unlikely that the club would want to offload the manager at the end of the season.

Luis Enrique is a favourite in the Barcelona board (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona are attempting to find solutions and exploring avenues that will allow them to sign Enrique in the coming summer.

Barcelona are not in a position to buy Enrique out of PSG. The problem is exacerbated by the team’s poor relationship with PSG.

Therefore, if Barça are to sign Enrique this summer, they would have to convince the Spaniard to sit down with PSG and reach a conclusion over his future.

No shortage of options

Should Barcelona fail in their attempt to hire the PSG coach this summer, the club are likely to turn to the German route.

Laporta already favours a few of these German coaches, including Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann and even Thomas Tuchel.

Other potential managerial candidates for Barcelona include Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, although the Catalans might not be able to afford the Italian’s hefty release clause.