There will be no shortage of possibilities for Barcelona as they search for a new coach.
Two of the best football managers have vacated their positions after Xavi Hernandez declared he would be leaving his position as manager of Barcelona on June 30. Following his resignation as manager of Liverpool at the conclusion of the Premier League season, Jurgen Klopp also made this announcement.
Both of these top positions are up for grabs, but the candidates are very different because Barcelona is not only a significantly less desirable place to work but also needs a manager who can oversee some rebuilding, unlike Liverpool, who are favourites to win.
It’s imperative that the next hire is the correct one after burning through a club great in Xavi less than a season after he won the La Liga title. Silverware is a must for each successful Barcelona season, and in November, when work on the iconic Barcelona stadium is finished, there will be a return to Camp Nou.
Both Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho are successful managers who have led their teams to several awards, but neither one is equipped to lead Barcelona through this difficult time. Conte is a tough manager who must be in complete agreement with the board and loves to spend a large sum of money on aging players to assist a club win today.
Thiago Motta
With cautious strategies that sometimes just a goal is enough, the former Barcelona midfielder, currently in charge of Bologna in Serie A, has the team within striking distance of a European spot.
Joshua Zirkzee’s exceptional genius has enabled Motta to lead the squad to unprecedented heights, but Motta’s practicality is what sets up the young Dutchman for success. With Joao Felix and Raphinha at his disposal, picture those tactical kinks, and Motta has the ability to either save Barcelona or destroy it.
The main worry about Motta’s selection is that, despite his familiarity with the Barcelona culture, will coaching a team of that caliber be too much for him? Motta’s past experiences at Genoa and Spezia weren’t particularly impressive, and a bad run at Barcelona may ruin a manager in the eyes of the world.
While Xavi occasionally found it difficult to handle the criticism from the public, managing such pressures and shielding players from them is a component of a manager’s job that most managers don’t encounter until they’ve either gone on a European run or found themselves in the hot seat at a major club for the first time.
Andoni Iraola
Iraola received a call-up to the Premier League to join Bournemouth after putting in great work with Rayo Vallecano. At first, it appeared as though he was having difficulty settling into England, but he has swiftly found his footing and the Cherries are playing thrilling football thanks to wise acquisitions.
Positive developments under Iraola include Dominic Solanke’s development, and the Cherries are always ready to face any challenge thanks to his preparation, regardless of the strength of the competition.
It’s worth noting that Iraola has just been with Bournemouth since the summer, so depending on the terms of his contract, Barcelona might have to pay a buyout if they decide to pursue this course.
Michel
Even though Girona’s defence may occasionally be overly open, it’s okay when you score as many goals as the team does. Michel is getting the best out of players that many fans had never heard of before they arrived.
Artem Dovbyk’s performance is a prime illustration of how well Michel’s strategies work. The Ukrainian, who joined the team from Dinipro-1 with ease, is joint first in the La Liga Golden Boot race and is a powerful player in the air.
Girona’s aggressive style of play would be welcomed at Barcelona, where the football has occasionally been monotonous this season. As a part of the City Football Group, Michel has gained more experience than other managers in a comparable role.
Rafa Marquez
Enhancing Marquez’s job is one of the simplest things Barcelona can do given he already manages Barcelona B. Marquez is acquainted with sporting director Deco and Laporta, having both managed and played alongside Xavi in the club system.
This familiarity would facilitate a productive working relationship. But just as when Xavi was appointed, practically nothing would be known about the football side. Barcelona currently has a large number of adolescents, which is advantageous because many of them have gone through Marquez’s system, but it doesn’t mean that he can succeed at the highest levels. That would be a very dangerous choice.
Marcelo Gallardo
Gallardo finds himself in an odd managerial position. When the 48-year-old retired from managing River Plate in December 2022, it appeared as though Gallardo would be headed for a prestigious position or had something planned, but that didn’t materialize. Instead, the 48-year-old developed some of the best players in the world, including Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez.
After that, he was sidelined for about a year until taking over for Nuno Espirito Santo at Al-Ittihad, where he managed nine games. It would be feasible for a club to get him out of the Saudi Pro League.
