8 months ago
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Pep Guardiola has recommended Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi to Barcelona as Xavi’s replacement, according to reports in Spain.
Barca are seeking a successor to Xavi after he announced in January that he is stepping down as head coach at the end of the season.
Several candidates have already been linked with the role, including Thomas Tuchel, who is leaving Bayern Munich this summer, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
According to Laia Tudel who was speaking on Catalunya Radio, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made Hansi Flick, the former Germany and Bayern Munich head coach, his first-choice pick to replace Xavi.
However, Laporta has also consulted Guardiola for his opinion on Xavi’s successor and the Manchester City manager has given De Zerbi as his recommendation.
It’s claimed that Laporta is now keeping a closer eye on Brighton’s progress under De Zerbi for the remainder of the season.
When asked about his future at Brighton, De Zerbi said at his press conference on Friday: ‘No, no, I have only Brighton in my head.
‘I would like to finish this season in the best way, playing with not all players because March and Mitoma both finished the season.
‘But the other players, I would like to pay with Julio Enciso, Joao Pedro to compete and try to win as many games as we can.
‘Yes, I have a contract and until now I have not decided anything and my mind is on Brighton, 100 per cent.’
Xavi, meanwhile, is adamant that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after reports this week claimed that the club’s hierarchy have asked him to reconsider.
‘There is no issue, as of today nothing has changed at all,’ he said.
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