Pini Zahavi is working to try and bring the positions closer so that Hansi Flick can fulfill what he desires.
The presence of agent Pini Zahavi in the stands of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys watching a Barcelona-Getafe match live wasn’t a coincidence. If the 80-year-old Israeli representative travels from his home in London to the Catalan capital, it’s because something is brewing and indeed it was.
Zahavi spent several days in Barcelona, culminating his stay by witnessing live the thrashing of Xavi Hernández’s team against Getafe. Prior to that, according to Fernando Polo from Mundo Deportivo, he utilized his time in the city to hold several meetings, including one with president Joan Laporta. It’s worth noting that Zahavi represents Robert Lewandowski, but for a few weeks now, he’s also been handling the professional affairs of Hansi Flick, the German coach who is on the list to potentially succeed Xavi on the Barcelona bench.
Currently, the former German national team coach remains without a team, and as has already been publicly disclosed, he would view taking charge of Barcelona from the next season very favorably. Hence, Pini Zahavi has set out to work his connections to fulfill his client’s wish. During his stay in Barcelona, he had various meetings, none of them in restaurants to avoid being recognized by the press and thus maintain maximum discretion.
The Israeli agent’s idea, who also represents Thomas Tuchel, is to prioritize Flick’s candidacy. The former German coach didn’t have an agent until now, only a lawyer who dealt with the bureaucratic aspects of negotiations. But this time, knowing the good relationship Zahavi has with Laporta – it’s worth remembering that at Lewandowski’s presentation, the Barcelona president himself referred to the agent as “brother” – he’s betting everything on the Israeli’s card.
For now, FC Barcelona, as Deco has publicly explained, isn’t in a rush to confirm the new coach. Flick is an option that appeals, even to the president, but they understand it’s a crucial decision for the project’s future and want to take it patiently. On the other hand, Zahavi also represents young winger Dani Rodríguez, from the Juvenil A and part of Barça Atlètic’s dynamics. He’s one of La Masia’s great talents, and his future is uncertain. In fact, his contract is ending, but Barcelona has the option to extend it for another 2 years. The club is counting on him, but the player and his entourage had doubts due to the ‘overbooking’ in his position.
