FC Barcelona have many dilemmas currently put in front of them for the upcoming season. Their economic hurdles are already an obvious one, and that will likely continue to make life harder for them. However, a new problem for Barcelona will undoubtedly be finding a new coach to replace Xavi.
After the last defeat to Villarreal CF, Xavi seemed to have had enough at Barça. His reign as coach of the first team will come to an end at the end of this season, and he has already publicly confirmed this. For this reason, the hunt for the next Barcelona head coach has already begun.
However, there are both too many names to pick from and not that many to choose from. Some coaches have obligations that they simply cannot abandon, no matter how much Barcelona admires them for whatever reason. Yet, the latest update suggests that a certain Premier League manager is now quite liked as Xavi’s replacement.
According to Spanish journalist Luis Rojo, the newest liking from Barcelona is towards Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi. An Italian coach, he is currently contracted to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. Currently contracted to the team until 2026, he first signed with the team in 2022.
An enjoyer of attacking football with a lot of dynamism, De Zerbi fits the Barcelona philosophy like a glove. His Brighton have often been regarded as being one of English football’s most exciting sides to watch and it is mainly thanks to the revolution brought to the side by his tactical approach to the game.
While he has not yet won anything significant with Brighton, that is to be expected. The club does not have the aspirations of sides like Manchester City or Liverpool, but has exceeded their modest objectives. It has been during his tenure as manager of the club that they qualified for European football for the first time in their history.
For now, it remains to be seen just who exactly takes over after Xavi departs from Barcelona. Roberto De Zerbi becomes only the latest name added to a list already filled with promising candidates. However, as per the latest report, his option is one that Barcelona seems to really appreciate and like.
