La Liga champions Barcelona reportedly view Julian Nagelsmann, a target for Liverpool, as one of the four favourites to replace Xavi Hernandez.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Julian Nagelsmann is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions have zeroed in on the four favourites to replace Xavi Hernandez after the 2023/24 season ends. The German national team head coach is one of the candidates, with Liverpool also interested in him.
Julian Nagelsmann has established himself as one of the best young managers in the world in the last half a decade. A centre-back as a footballer, the 36-year-old did not have a long career in his playing days and entered the managerial world before turning 30.
The German tactician cut his teeth at TSG Hoffenheim, quickly rising to prominence before seeing his stock soar during his short stint with RB Leipzig. Nagelsmann’s progress with Leipzig earned him a move to Bayern Munich in 2021, and he won three trophies at the Bavarian club before leaving them last year.
Bayern Munich’s decision to sack Nagelsmann was shocking, and he took up the German national team job in September 2023. But the highly-rated manager has struggled to galvanise the side, losing twice in four outings thus far. Nevertheless, his stock remains high, with widespread reports linking him with Liverpool and Barcelona.
Liverpool’s interest in Julian Nagelsmann stems from Jurgen Klopp’s surprising decision to call time on his spell at the Merseyside club when the 2023/24 season ends. That has forced the Reds into the market for a top-class manager, bringing the 36-year-old into the picture to replace Klopp.
As for Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez will leave the Catalan club when the 2023/24 season ends. Several managers, including Hansi Flick, have thus emerged on Barcelona’s radar over a possible move. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann is one of the four favourites for the job heading into the summer.
The report names the other favourites, with Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and Roberto De Zerbi being the other candidates. It will be interesting to see if Nagelsmann becomes the top target to replace Xavi in the coming months.
