Barcelona sporting director Deco rules out ‘pointless’ talk that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could replace outgoing manager Xavi… as he admits he ‘didn’t want his former team-mate to leave’

Barcelona sporting director Deco has ruled out speculation that Mikel Arteta could be in consideration to take over as Xavi‘s successor and claimed it was ‘pointless’ to mention him Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in that conversation.

While Barcelona are second in the LaLiga standings and have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Xavi announced he will be walking away from the club at the end of the season following their indifferent run of form that has seen them fall eight points behind rivals Real Madrid in the title race. 

Speculation had been mounting that Arteta could be one of the main contenders to take over from Xavi, with Gerard Pique naming Arteta as one of his two top pics to  succeed the Barcelona boss.

It seems unlikely that Arteta could switch to join the Spanish champions this summer, considering his current situation leading Arsenal to the top of the Premier Leauge standings. And Deco put an end to that speculation on Wednesday, while also revealing that Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique could be in the frame. 

‘Nothing has been decided yet, but we are attentive,’ he said to Spanish radio station, SER Catalunya’s Que t’hi Jugues show, when asked about potential replacements for Xavi.

The Arsenal boss has been one of several names thrown in to the hat to replace Xavi  

Pressure has been mounting on the Spaniard and Xavi announced he would leave the club

He added: ‘Of course I am charmed by Luis Enrique, he is a top coach.

‘Obviously you can appreciate top managers like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp as well, but they are not available. Just like Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola and Sergio Conceicao too.

‘We haven’t spoken with them at all and it’s pointless to mention them. We’re not speaking to any manager yet.’ 

Back in January, the Arsenal boss rubbished claims made by some Spanish media outlets that he could quit his job at Arsenal and takeover from Xavi.  

‘That’s totally fake news,’ a visibly irritated Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s game against Nottingham Forest. ‘I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.

‘I could not believe it. It has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.’

PSG meanwhile handed Enrique a two-year contract back in July 2023. 

The Spaniard has enjoyed two managerial spells with the club in the past, firstly with Barcelona’s B team in 2008 and a second in 2014 – where he went on to win a Champions League title, two LaLiga titles and three Copa del Rey titles across a three-year spell. 

While it remains to be seen who the Spanish club will appoint as their next manager, Deco admitted that he did not want his former team-mate to announce his retirment. 

Deco rubbished claims that Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola could take the reins from Xavi

Deco did state that former PSG boss Luis Enrique could be a candidate to take over at Barca 

Deco (left) said that he ‘didn’t want ex-team-mate Xavi to say that he was leaving Barcelona’ 

The pair played 122 matches together during their time at Barcelona, with Deco adding Xavi was the ‘ideal coach’. 

‘I didn’t want him to say he was leaving, but he made his decision,’ Deco said.

‘I already said that Xavi’s time had not yet changed, there are still things to fight for. In football everything changes overnight. In every match preview they ask me if Xavi is staying or not.

‘Xavi continues to tell us that his decision is irreversible. If Xavi changes his mind he has to tell us. For us he is an ideal coach, always positive, never complains, he knows the club’s difficulties. History will say that he rebuilt Barca.’