The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have taken no fewer than four names off their list of potential replacements for the outgoing Xavi this summer.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.
It is of course common knowledge across the world of football that the Barcelona brass have long kicked into gear efforts to source a head coach ready to take up the reins at the club in the summer.
As much comes after Xavi, late in January, announced his intention to step down from his post upon the conclusion of the campaign.
The ideal scenario for Joan Laporta and the board at the Camp Nou would be for Xavi to reverse his decision, and see out the remaining year on his contract with the club.
As the Spaniard continues to insist that his call is a definitive one, though, such a development is beginning to look increasingly unlikely.
First steps towards negotiations with a number of tacticians, in turn, have already been kickstarted, with a whole host of high-profile names from across the continent continuing to be tipped by the media as the Blaugrana’s ‘chosen one’.
It will therefore no doubt come as a source of interest to those of a Barca persuasion to hear that, this week, a quartet of managers have been ruled out of the running for the post.
As per the aforementioned MD, no longer under consideration on the part of Deco and co. are any of Roberto De Zerbi, Mikel Arteta, Thomas Tuchel, or Hansi Flick.
Why? In brief, De Zerbi a lack of big-club experience, Arteta his contract terms with Arsenal, Tuchel his unpredictable character and dressing room presence, and Nagelsmann a general lack of managerial experience.
Conor Laird | GSFN
