Pique picks two ‘obvious’ candidates to replace Xavi in Barcelona
Former Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has two “obvious” candidates to replace current club manager Xavi Hernandez.
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Pique picks who?
The Barcelona chief announced his intention to resign from his post over a month ago.
In an interview with the Times, Pique named the two “obvious” choices for the position.
“To manage Barça, you need to be a specific type of coach and to understand the way Barça play, so the options are much less.
“The obvious ones are [Pep] Guardiola [of Manchester City], because he had his past here, and he is the best coach right now, and [Arsenal’s Mikel] Arteta.
“He would be a good one also. He understands Barcelona and played for Barça in the past.”
Arteta, current Arsenal manager, previously played for Barcelona B from 1999 to 2002.
However, Arteta and the club denied the reports that he will take over Barcelona after the season.
“That’s totally fake news what you read yesterday,” he said in a news conference.
“I don’t know where it’s coming from, and it’s totally untrue. I’m really upset about it.”
Arteta added: “I could not believe [it] (the reports). I don’t know where it’s coming from.
“I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.”
Change of heart?
However, Pique said his former teammate might change his mind since Barcelona are beginning to turn things around this season.
The Catalan club have entered the Champions League quarter-finals, and are currently second in La Liga standings with 64 points.
“I don’t think Xavi’s decision is 100 percent… Let’s see, I think it will stay. I don’t speak to Xavi everyday, but we have spoken several times,” Pique said.
“I want the best for him because I’m sure it will be the best for the club.”
