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Barcelona 'make Roberto De Zerbi top target to replace Xavi'

:Headline: Barcelona 'make Roberto De Zerbi top target to replace Xavi':
Barcelona identify Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi as their number one candidate to succeed Xavi as head coach, according to a report.
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Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly Barcelona's number one candidate to succeed Xavi this summer.

Less than a year after masterminding Barca's run to 2022-23 La Liga glory, Xavi announced in a January press conference that he would resign from his position at the end of the season.

The Spaniard's revelation came after the Catalonian giants were defeated 5-3 at home to Villarreal, where he suggested that the Blaugrana need to be taken in a new direction by a new manager.

Xavi - whose position had already been called into question for a few weeks - also hit out at sections of the media during his resignation announcement, labelling the Barcelona job a "cruel" and "unpleasant" one to perform.

The former Barcelona midfielder will continue in his role for the next few months as his side chase success in La Liga and the Champions League, but the Blaugrana hierarchy - namely president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco - are now running the rule over numerous candidates to take over this summer.

According to Sport, Laporta has now requested more information on De Zerbi, whom he has identified as his leading target to step into Xavi's shoes.

The 44-year-old was heralded for his work with Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk before replacing Graham Potter as Brighton boss in 2022, guiding the Seagulls to Europa League football in his first season in charge.

Aided by the Seagulls' intelligent recruitment in the transfer market, Brighton finished sixth in the 2022-23 Premier League season, and they qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League as group winners over Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens a few months ago.

Under De Zerbi's wing, Brighton have been lauded for their ability to play around the press and build attacking sequences from the back, and the Italian's contract at the Amex runs until 2026.

Laporta has reportedly received plenty of positive feedback from his team running the rule over De Zerbi, whose man-management skills have been assessed alongside his tactical expertise.

However, De Zerbi would not prove to be the cheapest managerial option for Barcelona, as his contract with the Seagulls is understood to include a release clause of €10m (£8.6m).

The former Sassuolo coach is just one of several contenders to become Barca's next head coach, a list which is also said to include Jurgen Klopp, who confirmed that he would leave Liverpool this summer just one day before Xavi's bombshell.

Klopp would apparently prefer to manage Barcelona or Real Madrid than take the Germany reins if he is to step back into management, but the 56-year-old is expected to take a year-long sabbatical once he severs ties with the Reds.

Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick and Xabi Alonso are also on Barcelona's managerial wishlist, as is former La Masia product Mikel Arteta, who was alleged to have been considering leaving Arsenal at the end of the season.

However, the Spaniard immediately rubbished such reports and is expected to extend his contract with the title-challenging Gunners in the not-so-distant future.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97
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