FC Barcelona has chosen and opened talks with the manager it wants to replace Hansi Flick according to reports from Catalonia, Cesc Fabregas.
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FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco have already chosen Cesc Fabregas as their preferred successor to head coach Hansi Flick according to Catalunya Radio and SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
The former outlet explains how talks have already taken place between the two parties. During them, Fabregas has allegedly been told that he has the doors to the Spotify Camp Nou open to him in 2028.
That’s because his contract ends that year, and could also include a clause that facilitiates his departure from his current club Como.
In his first management job, Fabregas has taken Como out of obscurity and to unprecedented Champions League qualifcation. He did this by building a strong side mixed with veterans like ex-Barça defender Sergi Roberto and young prospects including former Real Madrid midfielder Nico Paz.
Hansi Flick’s contract at Barcelona also expires in 2028
The mentioned year, 2028, is also important because it’s when Hansi Flick recently extended his contract until.
Flick’s about to do something he’s never done before in his career by starting a third campaign at a top club.
Furthermore, no Blaugrana coach has managed that since current Champions League back-to-back winner Luis Enrique, who currently leads Paris Saint-Germain, did it from 2014 to 2017.
Coincidentally, Luis Enrique oversaw the last UCL triumph at Barcelona in 2015. Flick has confessed publicly that he wants to bring the title he lifted at Bayern Munich at the turn of the decade to Catalonia.
Considering the credit he has in the bank with Laporta and Deco after clinching five of Spain’s six domestic trophies in his maiden two terms, he’ll probably be allowed to see out his contract.
Fabregas has a strong Barcelona history
As a former La Masia pupil who turned professional at Arsenal and then returned home in 2011, Fabregas “knows the house” as the local phrase goes.
This means he’s well versed in the club’s style of play, and what it takes for youth products to succeed in the first team after coming up with Lionel Messi.
Yet as a Catalan who grew up in Arenys de Mar 30 miles east of the city centre, the 39-year-old understands its culture and the famous entorno that engulfs the club.
A lot can happen in two years until June 30, 2028. But Fabregas is perhaps the best young manager potentially on the market to succeed Flick.
After doing a similarly impressive job at an underdog though in Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso’s car crash at Real Madrid is perhaps a warning not to jump into elite management too quickly.
With two more years at Como, though, Fabregas might be better prepared to take over the reins at Barcelona.