Barcelona sporting director Deco rules out ‘pointless’ talk that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could replace 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, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola could all be in consideration to take over as Xavi’s successor and claimed it was ‘pointless’ to mention the trio.

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. 

Speculation has been mounting that Arsenal boss, Arteta could be one of the main contenders to take over from Xavi. 

Despite that, Deco has ruled out talk that the Gunners boss could move to the Catalan club in the summer, but revealed former Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique could be in the frame. 

Deco said to Spanish radio station, SER Catalunya’s Que t’hi Jugues show: ‘Nothing has been decided yet, but we are attentive.

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

After pressure has been mounting on the Spaniard, Xavi announced he would leave the club

‘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.’ 

Speaking on Xavi’s decision to retire, his former team-mate, Deco explained that he didn’t want to see the Spanish coach leave the club

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’ 

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

‘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.’