Joan Laporta has asked Pep Guardiola for advice in appointing a new manager.
As the first team approaches the final stretch of the season with hopes for La Liga and the Champions League titles, FC Barcelona’s boardroom is actively shaping next season’s project. Alongside assessing potential arrivals and departures, the crucial step in the post-Xavi era is appointing a new coach, as the Terrassa-native coach remains firm on his decision to leave the club on June 30th. According to Roger Torello of Mundo Deportivo, while numerous names have been floated, there’s yet to be a unanimous choice among the club’s top executives. The options are narrowing, but no decision has been finalized.
On one hand, there’s the German route led by former Bayern Munich and German national team coach Hansi Flick, as well as Thomas Tuchel, the current Bayern coach. Both Flick and Tuchel, Champions League winners, come highly recommended by Pini Zahavi, agent to Lewandowski and a close friend of Laporta. The sporting direction also favors De Zerbi, current Brighton coach, along with Mikel Arteta or Luis Enrique, though the latter options seem less feasible due to their ties with Arsenal and PSG, respectively.
However, as revealed on the ‘Tot Costa’ program on Catalunya Ràdio, Joan Laporta sought advice from Pep Guardiola to determine Xavi’s successor. During Johan Cruyff’s lifetime, the Barcelona president made it a rule, given their close friendship, to consult Johan on significant sporting decisions. In the absence of the master, Laporta reportedly turned to his friend Pep Guardiola for guidance on selecting the new coach. According to journalists Jordi Grau and Santi Giménez, Guardiola advised Laporta that the ideal choice should be the Italian De Zerbi.
The only downside for the Italian coach is his €10 million release clause.
