Guardiola tells Barcelona to appoint manager before Liverpool swoop

Barcelona are considering their options after Xavi announced he would be leaving the club this summer and Pep Guardiola has apparently put forward one name linked to the Liverpool job.

Pep Guardiola tells Barcelona to appoint next manager before Liverpool make move

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested to Barcelona that they should consider appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their next manager, and beat Liverpool to the opportunity.

Barcelona are thinking about their next steps after Xavi announced he would be leaving the club this summer. With Real Madrid nine points ahead, it seems likely that Barcelona will lose their La Liga title.

Two ex-Bayern Munich managers - Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel, the latter of whom will see out the season in Germany before departing - are both being considered, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has asked Guardiola for his thoughts. According to Mundo Deportivo, Guardiola told the club's boss that if it were up to him, he would choose the Brighton manager.

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De Zerbi has been linked with the forthcoming vacancy at Liverpool. The main problem for Barcelona could be De Zerbi's release clause, which they reportedly don't want to pay. Brighton will command good compensation if they are to let him go, especially as De Zerbi's reputation is growing.

De Zerbi came to England as an unknown when Brighton needed a replacement for Graham Potter. But quickly, their new manager showed his worth and he's led the south coast team into Europe for the first time, reports Mirror Online.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Brighton's De Zerbi is destined for bigger things, and even though the Seagulls' form has dipped in recent weeks, he's still one to watch.

He said last year: "There is no team playing the way they play - it's unique. I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great - I didn't expect him to do it in this short space of time.

"He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents. He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn't been for a long time. They deserve completely the success they have."

Brighton star and former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana said: "Of course, there's going to be interest [in De Zerbi] and eventually he's going to manage a top, top, top team, it's just a fact.

"But especially at the moment, he understands he's got it nice here at the minute, he's enjoying his time here and we can all feel that as players."

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