Islamabad
\nManchester City boss Pep Guardiola recommended a Premier League manager to FC Barcelona to replace Xavi Hernandez at the end of the season, reported Spanish news outlet Fichajes on Tuesday.
\nGuardiola managed Barcelona for four years from 2008 to 2012, where he made history and now shares a special connection with the club. Every now and then, the Spaniard speaks about the Catalan club in pressers and acknowledges his love for the club.
\nDespite being at Man City, the Spaniard is still thinking of his former club and recommended a manager to replace Xavi to replace once the season ends.
\nAs per the report, Guardiola named Brighton\u2019s Roberto de Zerbi as the ideal Xavi replacement. As per Pep, the Italian fits perfectly with Barcelona\u2019s philosophy of dominating the opponent with possession.
\nDe Zerbi\u2019s team plays with the perfect combination of ball dominance and offensive approach, which is essential to Barca\u2019s DNA. Guardiola highlighted the Italian\u2019s immense work on developing young talents and his ability to clearly transform his ideas to the players.
\nGuardiola\u2019s recommendation holds great value as he is greatly respected by everyone on the Barca board and the appointment of the Italian after Xavi\u2019s exit may not come as a surprise.
\nEarlier, Xavi announced he would step down as Barcelona\u2019s coach on June 30, 2024, after the club\u2019s thumping 5-3 loss to Villarreal in La Liga.
\nXavi was under hot waters ever since the Blaugrana suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
\nThe team was knocked out of Copa del Rey (CDR) after losing to Athletic Bilbao 4-2 and the loss against the Yellow Submarines turned out to be the final straw for the former midfielder.
\n\u201cFrom June 30, I will not continue as Barca coach. As a Barca fan, I believe the club needs a change of dynamic,\u201d Xavi said in a post-match press conference. \u201cI\u2019ve been a man of the club. I\u2019ve prioritised it above even myself. I\u2019ve given everything I have.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recommended a Premier League manager to FC Barcelona to replace Xavi Hernandez at the end of the season, reported Spanish news outlet Fichajes on Tuesday. Guardiola managed Barcelona for four years from 2008 to 2012, where he made history and now shares a special connection with the club. Every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":384061,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-384289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n