La Liga manager distances himself from Barcelona job: “I’m at the best club I can be at”

Speaking at a press conference, Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has ruled out the possibility of him replacing Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona next season.

Xavi announced in January that he would leave Barça at the end of the ongoing campaign as he felt that the team was in need of a change in dynamics.

The 44-year-old had been under immense pressure of late due to results not going Barça’s way and performances taking a nosedive. As such, he opted to move on when the season is over.

The search for his replacement is already underway and Real Sociedad’s Alguacil is one of the options that is being considered by Barça director Deco.

Alguacil uninterested in Barcelona job

Alguacil has been at Real Sociedad since 2018 and has done a tremendous job at the Basque club, turning them into regular challengers for the top four in La Liga.

Given the way his team plays and the results he has achieved, it does not come as a surprise that Barcelona are considering him as an option to succeed Xavi.

However, the 52-year-old tactician has ruled out the possibility of making the switch, stating that he wants to continue at Real Sociedad and make history at the club.

“I’m at the best club I can be at, I’m highly valued, I’m delighted to belong to Real. I want to continue making history here, I finish my contract in 2025 and I hope to renew it again. For that I have to earn it. I’m not going to be better anywhere than here,” Alguacil said.

Alguacil not interested in Barça job. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Commenting on Xavi’s situation at Barcelona and their search for a new manager, he added: “That’s not for me to answer. What I can say is that Xavi is the right man for Barcelona and that they’re going to have a hard time finding someone like him. All my respect for him.”

Who are the other candidates?

Apart from Alguacil, Barcelona are also looking at Jurgen Klopp as an option, with the German set to leave Liverpool in the summer.

Names like Sergio Conceicao, Thiago Motta, and Hansi Flick have also featured significantly in the tabloids while a surprise move for former Barça boss Frank Rijkaard has also been touted.

It remains to be seen which way the board, led by president Joan Laporta, sways.