Barcelona sporting director Deco has discussed the possibility of Jurgen Klopp replacing Xavi at the Nou Camp. The German is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, by which point the Catalan giants will boast a high-profile vacancy, with Xavi poised to make way.
Liverpool and Barca will be front and centre of the managerial merry-go-round with Xavi and Klopp already announcing their intentions to depart. Xavi cited the immense pressure that comes with being boss of La Blaugrana, while Klopp suggested fatigue had taken its toll.
As one of the most successful European managers of the past 15 years, Klopp is being tipped by many to take his talents to Spain. Barca chief Deco has now been asked about that prospect, and the Portugal legend admitted that the Liverpool boss is ‘great’ at what he does.
“I don’t want to talk about anyone, it is unethical to talk about a coach who has a contract,” he told La Vanguardia. “[Klopp] is a great coach, but I think this is not the time to talk about that.
“The new technician will want to make changes, but first the project and the ideas will have to be explained to him. There are many options.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also been linked with the Nou Camp hotseat. Rumours in Spain indicate that the 41-year-old is weighing a north London exit at the end of the season, and while those claims have been fiercely disputed by Arteta, he remains one of the front-runners to replace Xavi.
Former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, out-of-work Jose Mourinho and ex-Barca midfielder Thiago Motta are also believed to be in the running. Deco claims that whoever Barcelona hire will have to be a perfect fit with the club’s long-established philosophy.
“[Xavi’s successor] has to follow a line of work,” he added. “We will never be a team that does not want to play well, that does not want to have the ball. Starting from that idea, each coach has his characteristics, but whoever comes has to have ambition and hunger to do great things. And know where it comes from.”
Klopp has been in high-pressure managerial roles for more than two decades with hardly any break. He followed seven years at Mainz with seven years at Borussia Dortmund earlier in his career, before joining Liverpool in 2015.
Turning Barcelona around would be no mean feat. Xavi led them to a La Liga title last term despite operating under strict financial constraints, but they are eight points off the pace this season and have conceded more goals than any other side in the top nine.
