Ex-Man Utd boss a shock contender to replace Xavi at Barcelona

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Feb 2024 11:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a big fan of Ralf Rangnick, according to Spanish media.

The Blaugrana are looking for a new head coach after title-winning boss Xavi surprisingly announced that he would be leaving his post at the end of what has thus far been an incredibly disappointing season. The 44-year-old's magic has evidently worn off, with Barcelona having conceded the most goals of any team in Europe's top five leagues so far in this nascent calendar year.

A host of potential successors have been mentioned since the announcement of the club legend's impending departure. While the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta are unlikely to become available anytime soon, highly-rated coaches such as Xabi Alonso, Roberto de Zerbi and Ruben Amorim will simply be too expensive for the cash-strapped Catalans.

Moreover, Fabrizio Romano has played down links to ex-Barca player Thiago Motta, insisting that he will stay in Italy next season, and Antonio Conte, who allegedly offered himself to the club. The only seemingly attainable coach is ex-Germany boss Hansi Flick, who is reportedly so keen on the job that he is already learning Spanish.

However, there may be another potential option out there.

Rangnick to Barcelona?

According to Sport, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has a "predilection for German tacticians." Jurgen Klopp is his "impossible dream," while current Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is liked. The latter could be available after EURO 2024, though you would think that Barcelona would not prefer to wait that long.

Intriguingly, former Man Utd interim chief Ralf Rangnick is also mentioned as a man greatly admired by Laporta. However, he seems even less likely to become the next Blaugrana boss than someone like Flick or Nagelsmann.

That's because Rangnick has a long-term contract with the Austrian FA. Initially, his deal only ran until this summer, but after leading the national team to EURO 2024 in Germany, the contract was automatically extended until the 2026 World Cup in North America. So, unless he gets sacked or bought out of his contract, he won't be leaving anytime soon.