Barcelona narrow down shortlist of possible Xavi Hernandez replacements

Hansi Flick is the favourite to take over Xavi Hernandez's job after 30th June, when the coach from Terrasa has already announced that he will be leaving Barcelona. His German counterpart, according to the German press, is even studying Spanish to adapt to a hypothetical landing in Barcelona that would make Joan Laporta smile: it is his preferred option. 'Relevo' mentions him in a report in which it reviews Deco's shortlist for the bench.
If the list of candidates were ordered like in a race, Roberto de Zerbi would be the second. The Brighton & Hove Albion boss rocketed to European stardom after a breakthrough performance last season, in which he led the Seagulls to 6th place in the Premier League with an eye-catching and daring style of play. Thanks to him, players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo showed a version of what made Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively, invest around 100 million euros each in them.
The stumbling block for the Italian is that he has a contract until 2026 with the Seagulls and it would be difficult for the English side, who are aware that they have found a key leader to keep him in the British top flight in the medium and long term, to let him leave easily. Moreover, with the unstable financial situation at Montjuic, a deal to release him is not the most promising way forward.
Returning to Hansi Flick, he is a free agent after being sacked from the German national team. His career is curious because, although he started out as head coach - he managed Bammental and Hoffenheim - he spent 14 years in the background as Joachim Low's assistant at the national team, which sacked him in September last year. He was also in charge of Bayern Munich for much of the 19-20 and all of the 20-21 campaign.