A great dilemma for Barcelona next season will be the appointment of a new first-team head coach. Xavi Hernandez has already announced his departure, and he seems to be quite adamant about it. However, the Blaugranes know that they still must plan ahead to minimize future complications.
Even then, there are problems that the Catalan giants must be mindful of. Not every coach is the right fit for Barcelona, and there are those who are basically unattainable even if the club wants them. Apart from the names that are already on the table, Barcelona also have a few they have discarded.
As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, there are a bunch of names that were originally linked to Barcelona but now have been discarded. This includes coaches from several countries, including both England and Germany.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal):
The former Barcelona player and current head coach of Arsenal was a name previously linked to Barcelona. However, the Spaniard is obligated to the Gunners until 2025 and there is very little chance that he decides to move.
Moreover, Barcelona would prefer to pursue the signature of a coach more experienced and decorated than the current Arsenal coach.
Roberto de Zerbi (Brighton):
Another name from the Premier League, Roberto de Zerbi, is now also believed to be off the table. Unlike the other names on this list, the Italian coach’s level of experience managing top clubs is a glaring weak point.
While his way of playing and the level at which he has brought Brighton to is commendable, the pressure at Barcelona is a completely different animal altogether. Moreover, he also has a release clause speculated to be worth around €10-15 million. At the moment, that is an amount Barcelona are unwilling to invest.
Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich):
In the case of Thomas Tuchel, Bayern have already revealed he will be relieved of his duties in the summer. Thus, being a former Champions League winner and a free agent in the summer, he would seem like an ideal pick for Barcelona. However, given his irregularities both in terms of management and his temperament, the Blaugranes are a bit wary of betting on him with a fragile project.
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany):
Currently coaching Germany, Julian Nagelsmann was formerly the head coach of Bayern Munich. However, given his lack of experience, Barcelona are not willing to look at him as a formidable option despite his more than impressive history of managerial positions.
