Barcelona to challenge Liverpool for major head coach candidate

Jacque Talbot

• 5 Mar 2024 15:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are looking at Ruben Amorim as the potential successor to Xavi Hernandez, who is set to leave in the summer.

The Sporting CP coach is also liked by Liverpool but the Catalans are understood to be closer to the coach than any of their major European rivals, including the Reds, according to a fresh report from the Independent.

Amorim is likely to leave his current side this summer, as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso. After Xavi announced that he would be stepping down from his role at Barcelona.

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This has set up an interesting situation in which they, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich will all be looking for new coaches, with only a few in demand for the top positions across Europe’s elite.

Who will replace Xavi at Barcelona?

Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, following a shock announcement made via the club, and Thomas Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich, too, after a poor run of form with the German giants.

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Meanwhile, Manchester United are widely expected to be in the hunt for a new coach, with uncertainly around the future of Erik ten Hag.

It’s thought that Liverpool and Bayern have made Alonso their number one target, with the Spaniard previously playing for both clubs.

But Barcelona are looking at Amorim, who they believe is the best fit for them. Amorim has revitalised Sporting, helping them win their first league title in 19 years in 2021.

Liverpool had him as their second option behind Alonso, too, but now their focus is fully on obtaining Alonso.