New possibilities, Deco leaves the door open for Klopp as the next coach

Few would have thought only a few weeks ago that either Liverpool or Barcelona would be looking for new coaches at the end of the season. But since then, both Jürgen Klopp and Xavi have announced their intentions to depart before the summer. At Anfield, FSG will be led by the data and an extensive search will be undertaken to find the best possible Klopp successor, with Xabi Alonso appearing to be a leading contender. Barcelona, meanwhile, needs someone who can deal with the pressures of sitting in the hot seat and has been linked with a move for Klopp.

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While the German is set to take a break from managing, it is no surprise that Barcelona might be keen on hiring him. Deco, sporting director at the Nou Camp, has been speaking about the situation. In an interview with Nascer Do Sol newspaper, the former Portugal midfielder admitted that a lot needs to change at Barcelona. The club has been struggling economically and needs something big to happen to get back on track.

"A radical change is needed," Deco said. "There is a method that is finished. The president is with me. We need to find someone who breaks up with the past and moves towards a new model." Klopp has been linked with a move to Barcelona and he would have obvious appeal, but the Liverpool boss has already made clear that he wants to take a break when he leaves Anfield. If he wanted to carry on working, he would simply stay where he is, so a move to Catalonia can be ruled out, at least for now.

"Klopp? He says he wants to take a break from coaching for a while," Deco bluntly said. The Liverpool boss wants to take some time out of the game having been in such an intense job for so long, though he has not ruled out returning to football at some point in the future once he has recharged. Sporting CP manager Rúben Amorim has been linked with both Liverpool and Barcelona (in a variety of places including Portuguese outlet Record). But Deco has poured some doubt over his suitability to take over from Xavi.

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Final possibility

"Amorim to replace Xavi? For now, all the hypotheses are on the table," Deco began. "But which Portuguese coach? How many Portuguese coaches are prepared for the weight and responsibility of taking care of Barcelona, even more so this Barcelona with all the difficulties it entails? "Tell me. I know that Amorim is doing a good job at Sporting and, in addition, he plays with a style similar to ours. But he also has very little experience."