Barcelona is on the lookout for a new coach for the upcoming season following Xavi’s announcement on Saturday that he will step down at the end of the current campaign. Hansi Flick is emerging as a top contender for the position, with reports suggesting that Barça president Joan Laporta is actively advocating for the former Bayern and Germany manager to fill the role. Flick, currently without a coaching assignment, is open to the ргospect of becoming a head coach in a foreign league for the first time in his career.

Joan Laporta has expressed longstanding interest in bringing the 58-year-old to Camp Nou, with reports indicating a prior video call between Laporta and Flick in 2021 as an attempt to entice him. However, Flick declined the offer, and Xavi was appointed as the coach instead. 

Another prominent German figure linked to the vacant position is Thomas Tuchel, the current Bayern boss, who has expressed a desire to work in Spain following Xavi’s confirmed departure. As Barcelona assesses its options, Flick could make a return to football after his dismissal as Germany’s coach in 2023. In the interim, the Catalan team aims to achieve success this season by winning the Champions League and securing a high position in the Spanish league.