Mikel Arteta is one of the names being linked with Barcelona at the end of this season.
The job will become vacant then with Xavi having announced that he will quit his post at the end of the campaign claiming that it was almost an impossible job given the expectations placed on him by the fans, the media, and the club’s Board.
Arteta is a former product of Barcelona’s La Másia academy, although he never actually played for their senior team, growing up in the same era as the likes of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Instead he forged his career in the UK, first in Scotland with Rangers before moving south to play for Everton and the Gunners.
Separate reports from Spain suggest that the 41 year old is considering following the example of Jurgen Klopp and stepping away from management altogether to take a break from football at the end of the season.
That is despite the fact that he still has 18 months left on his current contract at the Emirates.
