For weeks now, newspapers, TV shows and social media have been flooded with rumors and speculation about the next Barcelona coach. It all started after the defeat against Villarreal in Montjuic, when Xavi Hernandez shocked everyone at the press conference by revealing that he had made the decision to leave the club after the end of the current season. Bad results and poor performances were the main reason for the departure of the former midfielder, who has received harsh criticism from the press.
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The first candidates to replace Xavi were two other former players of the club: Rafael Marquez, current manager of the reserve team that competes in Spain's third division, and Thiago Motta, who is currently working at Bologna in Italy. But the lack of experience of both quickly led to other, more important names being mentioned.
Germany's Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Joachim Low and Thomas Tuchel were all considered. And even Xabi Alonso, coach of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who played for Real Madrid but whose father was a former Barcelona player, was mentioned. However, all of them seem to have been left behind by a Premier League manager: Roberto De Zerbi.
The 44-year-old former Italian is doing a great job at Brighton & Hove Albion, with whom he finished sixth in the English league last season and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. His style of play appeals to the Barcelona chiefs, as do his personality and youth. But negotiations will not be easy.
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How much will it cost to get him out of England?
Last week, De Zerbi's agents, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Cnajr, traveled to Barcelona to meet with Deco. While the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future of Ronald Araujo, whom they also represent, it is rumored that the subject of the coach was also mentioned. But to advance in the negotiations Barcelona must be willing to pay a fortune: he has a contract with Brighton until 2026 and his exit clause, according to The Sun, is $12 million.
