Highlights:
- Speculation that Mikel Arteta is considering leaving Arsenal for Barcelona has been refuted.
- Arteta’s commitment to his current club, as well as his contract extension until 2025, indicate that he intends to continue at Arsenal.
- Arsenal’s manager is claimed to have ‘no plans to depart’ the club after the 2023/24 season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s decision to quit the club at the end of the season surprised many. Barcelona coach Xavi also revealed that he will step down at the end of the current season. It has been revealed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta might be the third notable personality to leave the club at the end of the season.
According to Sport, Arteta has told those close to him that he is considering leaving his managerial position at Arsenal after the current season ends. Sky Sports, however, has reported that the Spaniard has no intention of leaving Arsenal at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s current agreement with Arsenal is due to end in the summer of 2025. Various media sources have linked Arteta to a managerial role at Barcelona. Xavi, Barcelona’s current head coach, announced his resignation after the Catalan giants were defeated 5-3 at home by Villarreal in La Liga.
According to Sky Sports, Xavi said, “I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barca. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer [Barcelona fan], I cannot allow the current situation.
He further added. “And mostly as a cul, thinking about the club and about the players as well, I think they will feel more free, they will be calmer. I think we play with too much tension. It’s for the benefit of the board of the club. As a club member, I believe the best thing is to leave on June 30. Of course, I will give all I have in the four months that are left.”
The defeat at the hands of Villarreal dropped Barcelona to fourth place in the La Liga standings. Barcelona currently lies 11 points behind Girona, who lead the table. Xavi is expected to depart Barcelona after less than three years as manager, having been appointed in November 2021.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta took on his maiden senior managerial post at Arsenal, replacing Unai Emery. Arteta has won 124 of his 210 matches as Arsenal manager. Arsenal are at present third in the Premier League standings.
Other candidates for the Barcelona position:
With Arteta unlikely to be available, who else may the reigning La Liga champions turn to? Pep Guardiola was the manager of Barcelona’s greatest team of this generation, and the club will always have a relationship with their former star.
Leaving the world’s most dominant team to lead a failing mega club like Barcelona appears implausible, but stranger things have happened in sports. Hansi Flick has been mentioned as a front-runner for the next vacant position, while Jurgen Klopp is expected to be among the top candidates for any open positions following his announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool. The German manager has stated that he will take a year off before exploring a new role, so that is another doubtful option for Barcelona.