Gerard Pique, former Barcelona player, has shared his thoughts on potential candidates to succeed Xavi.
Pique highlights two current Premier League managers as prime contenders to replace the outgoing Barcelona manager.
Xavi, who took over as Barcelona boss in 2021 after a stint with Qatari side Al Sadd, announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, prompting speculation about his successor.
Barcelona legend Pique gives his thoughts
Speaking on the matter to the Times, Pique emphasized the unique requirements for managing Barcelona: “To manage Barca you need to be a specific type of coach and to understand the way Barça play, so the options are much less.”
Pique identified two standout candidates from the Premier League, citing their understanding of Barcelona’s style and their past connections with the club.
“The obvious ones are [Pep] Guardiola, because he had his past here, and he is the best coach right now, and [Mikel] Arteta. He would be a good one also. He understands Barca and played for Barca in the past.”
Regarding Arteta’s potential interest in the role, Spanish media had previously speculated about his aspirations to take over at Barcelona.
However, Arteta vehemently denied such claims, labeling them as “totally fake news.” Prior to Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest in January, Arteta clarified:
“I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.”
Despite the speculation surrounding Arteta’s future, his focus remains on his current role at Arsenal, dismissing any rumors of an imminent departure.
As Xavi prepares to depart Barcelona, the club faces a pivotal decision in selecting his successor.
With Guardiola and Arteta emerging as prominent candidates, Barca will undoubtedly weigh their options carefully to ensure a seamless transition and sustained success in the post-Xavi era.
