Rangnick in the frame to be next Barcelona boss

Former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has emerged as a surprise contender to succeed Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona next season.

The 65-year-old is revered in his native Germany but endured a disappointing stint at Old Trafford after agreeing to step in following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

The former RB Leipzig coach has been in charge of the Austria national team since leaving United and guided them to qualification for this summer's European Championship.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly a big fan of Rangnick and 'really likes' him as an option to replace Xavi, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

Despite his underwhelming stint in the Premier League, Rangnick's reputation as a developer of top young talent has endured.

While Laporta is a fan of Rangnick, Barcelona have drawn up a star-studded shortlist of candidates to succeed coach Xavi Hernandez with Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi reportedly among the contenders.

Xavi announced on January 27 that he will depart the club at the end of the season, having taken over in November 2021.

Attention has quickly turned to his replacement with Mundo Deportivo mentioning a number of names in the frame.

Arsenal boss Arteta, 41, came through at Barcelona's academy and his attacking style would be attractive to the Nou Camp club.

However, as Mundo say, Arteta is contracted to Arsenal until 2025, is enjoying plenty of success there and last month described links to Barca as 'totally fake news'.

Responding to reports, Arteta said: 'I don't know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it. I could not believe it. It has no source.

'It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.'

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique, 53, is touted for a potential return, having coached the club between 2014 and 2017.

This successful spell included Barcelona's 2015 Champions League success - part of a Treble - and he too favours the classic Barca style of playing.

But Mundo qualify this by pointing out he, too, has a contract at his current club until next year and whether Barcelona's tight financial situation could prove off-putting.

The Brighton boss De Zerbi has impressed in the Premier League, they say, but has no experience of leading a big club with elite-level players.

They say De Zerbi's passing style would go down well, as would the endorsements ex-Barca favourite Pep Guardiola has given him in the past.

Another interesting name mentioned is Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who is the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The Spaniard has excelled in Germany, with Leverkusen surprise Bundesliga title contenders as they tussle with Bayern Munich at the top.

Mundo are impressed by his 'intense, dynamic and vertical game' there but admit his links with Real Madrid, where he spent five years, and Liverpool's interest would scupper Barca.