Barcelona legend names two 'obvious' candidates to replace Xavi

Xavi Hernandez (L) talks with Gerard Pique. — ReutersFC Barcelona legend Gerard Pique named two “obvious” candidates to replace Xavi Hernandez who will step down as the manager at the end of the season.Pique, who retired in November 2022, had his say on who should be named the manager once Xavi officially leaves the club as names like Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel and others have been linked to the club. During an interview with The Times, Pique picked out former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as the two candidates who should be taking Xavi’s place at the Catalan club.“To manage Barça you need to be a specific type of coach and to understand the way Barca play, so the options are much less,” Pique told The Times.“The obvious ones are Guardiola, because he had his past here, and he is the best coach right now, and Arteta. He would be a good one also. He understands Barcelona and played for Barca in the past.”Guardiola is currently managing Manchester City and is competing for the fourth Premier League title in a row and the Champions League while Arteta, once again, is in the race to win the league title with Arsenal.As everything stands, it is nearly impossible for either of Guardiola or Arteta to leave their current club for Barcelona as both managers have built a squad after years of hard work.Remember, Xavi announced he would step down as Barcelona’s coach on June 30, 2024, after the club’s thumping 5-3 loss to Villarreal in La Liga.Xavi was under hot waters ever since the Blaugrana suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup in January.The team was then knocked out of Copa del Rey (CDR) after losing to Athletic Bilbao 4-2 in the same month and the loss against the Yellow Submarines turned out to be the final straw for the former midfielder."From June 30, I will not continue as Barca coach. As a Barca fan, I believe the club needs a change of dynamic," Xavi said in a post-match press conference. "I've been a man of the club. I've prioritised it above even myself. I've given everything I have." Comments Submit مضمون کا ماخذ:گرم سے زیادہ گرم