Xavi is leaving FC Barcelona in the summer. The Catalan club was looking for a successor to the coach – and apparently found it.
Xavi recently announced that his time as coach at FC Barcelona would end in the summer. Since then, the Catalans have been looking for a successor for the 44-year-old. According to the Spanish newspaper “AS” they have now found it. It is said to be Roberto De Zerbi, also 44 years old.
The Italian is currently coach in the Premier League at Brighton & Hove Albion. His contract there runs until June 2026. If he were to sign him, Barça would have to pay a transfer fee for the coach. According to “AS”, the coach has an exit clause of 10 million euros in his working paper.
Finances could become a problem
According to the newspaper, Barcelona President Joan Laporta and sports director Deco had a three-hour conversation last Wednesday and then agreed. If Barça can raise the 10 million euros for De Zerbi, then the Italian’s commitment to the Catalans from July 1st of this year is conceivable.
FC Barcelona is struggling with financial problems. However, he wants to work on a solution to bring De Zerbi to Spain. This would also mean that the club would have decided against former national coach Hansi Flick. Recently there has been repeated speculation that Flick is a serious candidate to succeed Xavi.
“It’s cruel”
Xavi took over the team in November 2021 and would have had a contract until 2025. However, he recently described working in the club as “unpleasant.” He emphasized: “It’s cruel. You often feel like you’re not being respected.”
As an active player, Xavi had been part of the club for years and from 1995 onwards he went through all the youth stages up to the professionals. He was under contract there from 1998 to 2015. He ended his career in 2019.