Guardiola recommends sought-after De Zerbi for Barcelona job – report | OneFootball

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was recently asked for advice by Barcelona management on the topic of the club’s next managerial appointment and, according to reports, the 2022-23 treble winner suggested Brighton’s Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi.

As outlined by TMW, Barcelona have a history of consulting former players and coaches when it comes to managerial appointments. Johan Cruyff was often the go-to until his passing in 2016, and now Guardiola has taken over the reins.

Revealed on Catalunya Radio’s Tot Costa show, Barcelona President Joan Laporta recently asked Guardiola who he thinks should replace current incumbent Xavi as head coach at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

His response was De Zerbi, who has already been linked with the Barca job by several outlets in Spain, Italy and the UK in recent weeks.

Other names on the Barcelona shortlist reportedly include former Germany and Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, as well as ex-Chelsea, PSG and current Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.