FC Barcelona has not been known for constant coaching over the past few years. Xavi’s trust isn’t (yet) crumbling, but being eliminated from the Champions League again was a setback. In perspective, FCB seems to be looking at Mikel Arteta.
With just one defeat from their opening 12 league games, Barcelona sit just a point behind Real Madrid in second place. There is already a reassuring eight-point gap to third-placed Atlético Madrid. So far it looks like the only thing the Catalans will be aiming for this season is the title fight with Los Blancos.
At least in the domestic league. The starting position there is correspondingly good and relaxed. An important cushion for Xavi. After all, the coach had to accept a hefty setback with the prematurely sealed end in the Champions League. On the final day of the group stage, he must at least secure qualification for the Europa League.
That doesn’t correspond to the ambitions of the big club, but that’s the reality. But she still doesn’t get those responsible to question their trust in Xavi as a coach. The midfield icon doesn’t have to worry about that at the moment.
But if sooner or later Barca have to think about a potential change of coach again, Mikel Arteta should quickly come into focus.
According to the Barcelona newspaper sport, FCB is following the Spaniard’s career with great interest. He has been head coach at Arsenal since December 2019, where he currently tops the Premier League table and is praised for instilling a confident winning mentality.
In addition, he is no stranger to Barcelona: as a player, he spent several years in the youth and second team of the club. However, it wasn’t enough to make a breakthrough with the professionals at the time.
Still, he undoubtedly has some connection with the club. Not least through the years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. A mix that makes him quite interesting for Barca.
However, all this is still a distant dream of the future. Despite being eliminated from the premier class, Xavi is firmly in the saddle. Sooner or later, it seems, Arteta could become a serious issue at FCB.
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Barça appreciate Arteta’s work: as a possible Xavi successor in the long term? released.
