Barcelona next manager odds: Mikel Arteta favourite, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in contention
MIKEL ARTETA is favourite for the Barcelona job.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve installed the Arsenal manager at 3/1 to succeed Xavi at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona next manager
Betfair odds
Mikel Arteta – 3/1
Rafael Marquez – 10/3
Jose Mourinho – 7/1
Hansi Flick – 7/1
Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta – 7/1
Pep Guardiola – 15/2
Michel – 9/1
Jurgen Klopp – 9/1
Thiago Motta – 11/1
Ruben Amorim – 12/1
Xabi Alonso – 16/1
Thomas Tuchel – 20/1
Zinedine Zidane – 20/1
Andoni Iraola – 20/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 20/1
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Xavi announced his decision leave Barcelona at the end of the season despite still having a year left on his contract.
The 44-year-old delivered the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022-23.
But with the club trailing La Liga leaders Girona by 11 points, Xavi has decided to officially step down on 30 June following talks with the Barcelona hierarchy.
The next manager will have an array of young talent at his disposal, but a rebuild is required and that could be tricky given the club’s precarious financial situation.
As mentioned, Spanish tactician Arteta is the current favourite at 3/1.
However, the 41-year-old – a product of Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy – insists any speculation linking him with the vacant position are “totally untrue”.
“Who, me? No. That is totally fake news,” said Arteta.
“What you read, I’m really upset about it. I couldn’t believe it. It has no sources. I’m in the right place with the right people and feel really good about it.
“I’m embracing a beautiful journey with this club and there’s still a lot to do. I have a strong relationship with the board.”
There’s no shortage of illustrious names in contention with Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola thought to be in Barca’s thinking.
Rafa Marquez has thrown his hat in the ring at 10/3 with Betfair.
The Barcelona B boss says you simply can’t turn down an opportunity like managing the first-team, but he’s still in the infancy of his managerial career.
Mourinho is next at 7/1 having recently been sacked by Roma. He would become only the third man to ever have managed both Real and Barcelona.
A sensational return for Pep Guardiola is priced at 15/2, ahead of departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at 9/1.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Mikel Arteta is the early 3/1 favourite to be the next Barcelona manager with Xavi set to step down at the end of the season.
“Jurgen Klopp will be looking for a new job once the 2023/24 campaign ends and the Liverpool manager is among the contenders at 9/1 to succeed Xavi.”
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