FC Barcelona has been looking for many coaches to replace Xavi this summer but has not identified a clear favorite. Xavi has been struggling to find positive results and was rumored to leave earlier than expected. If Xavi does not find good results quickly, FC Barcelona will have to decide whether to keep him till the end of the season or sack him early.
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Xavi has two wins and a draw with FC Barcelona since he announced he would leave the club at the end of the season. The 3-3 draw against Granada has put his position as coach into question, and he will need a positive result today against Celta de Vigo and next week's Champions League game against Napoli. FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta is losing patience and wants the club's sporting director, Deco, to find options for Xavi's replacement.
Laporta was keen on appointing Hansi Flick, while Deco was interested in bringing in FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao. Both Barca members disagreed on the options, and it looks like neither will be an option as the new Barca coach. Flick is linked with a return to Bayern Munich after poor results with current manager Thomas Tuchel. While Flick is still an option for Barca, both Laporta and Deco agree to appoint Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.
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FC Barcelona must pay a 10 million euro release clause to appoint De Zerbi as their new manager
Toni Juanmarti from Sport reports that De Zerbi is the chosen one to replace Xavi at FC Barcelona. The main obstacle is the exit clause of the Italian, which is around €10M. Laporta has guaranteed De Zerbi's agents that if they manage to solve this obstacle, De Zerbi will be the one to take charge of the team from July 1. As long as the financial issues can be resolved, De Zerbi will be Xavi's replacement
