Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi emerges as the early favourite to replace Xavi as Barcelona manager following the club legend’s decision to quit at the end of the season

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is the early favorite to replace Xavi at Barcelona.

After Barcelona’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal last Saturday, Xavi announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Zerbi has won many admirers for his work as Brighton manager and has also been linked with the Liverpool job following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave at the end of the season.

The sun previously reported that according to Ladbrokes, De Zerbi, at 5/1, is the top contender to become the next Barcelona manager.

Xavi, who has been in charge of Barcelona since November 2021, guided the Catalan club to the LaLiga title last season but has endured many frustrations this season.

Barcelona manager Xavi announced on Saturday that he will leave the club at the end of the season

Former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez, current coach of the club’s B team, is second favorite at 6/1, along with ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

Barcelona are currently in third place in LaLiga, ten points behind leaders Real Madrid.

De Zerbi was appointed manager of Brighton in September 2022, having previously been in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk.

In his first season as Brighton manager, De Zerbi’s side reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost to Manchester United.

Brighton finished in seventh place in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Europa League, making the club involved in European football for the first time in history.

This season, Brighton are currently back in seventh place in the Premier League, with 32 points from 21 games so far.

De Zerbi is known as a very modern manager when it comes to his playing style, which could fit well with Barcelona’s philosophy.

De Zerbi has received a lot of praise for the work he has done as Brighton manager