Xavi’s Bombshell Spurs Global Speculation on Barcelona’s Next Coach

Xavi’s bombshell announcement following the recent defeat against Villarreal (3-5) has set the speculation mill in motion. The Terrassa-born coach declared that he will not continue at the end of the current season, and potential replacements are emerging like mushrooms after a rainy autumn.

Rumors are flourishing, and they’re coming from all corners of the globe. Barcelona transcends borders, and Xavi’s farewell has become a matter of global interest. From Germany, two names are already being considered as candidates to succeed Xavi in the Blaugrana dugout. According to information from Bild journalist Christian Falk, the frontrunner is Hansi Flick, who has been without a team since September when he was dismissed from the German national team. Reportedly, Flick was already on Barcelona President Joan Laporta’s radar in 2021 as a potential replacement for Ronald Koeman.

Flick had just committed to taking over from Joachim Low with the German national team after Euro 2020 (postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic) and chose not to break his commitment. Months later, Laporta would dismiss Koeman, ultimately appointing Xavi.

The second German candidate is the current Bayern Munich coach, Thomas Tuchel, who, in a chat with fans, expressed his eagerness to coach in La Liga someday.

Bayern’s dominance in the Bundesliga is under threat from Bayer Leverkusen, and Tuchel’s future is uncertain. Tuchel had offered his services to Barcelona at the end of 2022 when he was without a team after being dismissed from Chelsea, and Barcelona had just been eliminated from the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season.