Barcelona in contact with 36-year-old over managerial position next season – report
Xavi has repeatedly reiterated that he has no intention of moving back on his word of leaving the club come June. Barcelona’s management, thus, are in a battle against time to find the next coach of the first team, a position for which they have found several candidates in Germany.
Thomas Tuchel, Hansi Flick and Jurgen Klopp are some of the managers of German origin to have been linked with a move to Catalonia in recent weeks. Diario SPORT now reveals a fourth.
Option Nagelsmann
As revealed by the Spanish outlet, German National Team manager Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Xavi in the summer.
The 36-year-old tactician is currently contractually obligated to his national team, but word has it that he will look for a new destination after the upcoming European championships.
Barcelona’s administration, thus, are set to contact Nagelsmann’s entourage and enquire about the possibility of his signing come June.
However, it will be a difficult operation for Joan Laporta to pull off considering that the coach will be unavailable until Germany’s campaign in the Euros ends which could well run into July.
The right profile?
In his short, yet successful managerial career so far, Nagelsmann has led Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Germany. He was impressive during his stint at Leipzig and excelled with Bayern subsequently, only being fired for his differences with the board.
Moreover, he also has significant experience in working with young squads and limited finances, ticking some of the boxes the Catalan administration sees as non-negotiables.
The one limitation on his profile, however, is his lack of experience in multiple leagues and countries. Nagelsmann has spent his entire coaching career in Germany and that could potentially place him lower on the pecking order as seen by Deco.
As it stands, Barcelona are in no hurry to finalise an appointment. A final decision will only be taken after meeting the shortlisted names and judging the club’s economic situation in the coming months.
