Former Barcelona star wants Mikel Arteta to replace Xavi: “He has knowledge of the club, he’s been at Pep’s side”

Speaking in an interview with SPORT, former Barcelona star Lluis Carreras has claimed that he wants Mikel Arteta to replace Xavi Hernandez as the next manager.

Xavi announced his decision to step down as the Barça manager at the end of the season, as he feels that the team needs a change of dynamics and his departure would be the best thing for everyone involved.

Ever since, the rumour mill is abuzz with the names of possible managers to take over from Xavi when the season is over.

And Mikel Arteta is understood to be one of the candidates for the job, given his history with Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, and the work he has done at Arsenal.

And that is exactly why Carreras believes the Spaniard would be the right choice to succeed Xavi at Barcelona in the summer.

“I have made it public, I say it. I have been lucky enough to have listened to him, to have been with him in talks. For me, Mikel Arteta without a doubt. And by a long way above the rest with all due respect to all the loads of coaches that have come out,” he said.

“Mikel has knowledge of the club, he’s been at Pep’s side, which adds up to 300% for me. He has taken Arsenal out of a complicated situation starting from scratch. He has improved the performance of many players….”

Arteta, though, has a contract with Arsenal until the summer of 2025. And although reports suggested that he might leave the club in the summer, the former midfielder quickly shut down those rumours.

Other names like Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, and Roberto De Zerbi are also under consideration. So, it will be interesting to see which way Barcelona decide to go.