Mikel Arteta tipped for Arsenal exit amid contract 'talks' as Xavi drops Barcelona bombshell

Mikel Arteta is among the early favourites to replace Xavi as the next permanent Barcelona manager after the former midfielder announced he was leaving his role at the end of the season. One day after Jurgen Klopp revealed his decision to call time on his Liverpool stay, it creates an intriguing summer ahead for head coach movement.

Jose Mourinho is once more available to hire while the England national team job could be vacant. There are questions over the long-term futures of Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea and Newcastle as well.

At Arsenal, Arteta is in no danger of losing his job but has already been drawn into talk of a managerial merry-go-round. Having played for Barcelona during his days in La Masia academy — before he moved to Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, Everton, and finally Arsenal — he is understandably linked.

Barcelona have a recent history of hiring from within the club as well which makes the latest developments from Catalonia even more pressing for Gunners fans. With last year's La Liga champions sitting third in the league and ten points behind leaders Real Madrid, Xavi dropped a bombshell on world football on Saturday night.

Speaking after the 5-3 loss to Villarreal he said, «I have decided I will not continue beyond June 30.» The 44-year-old added: «It is a common sense decision for the good of the club. I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public.

“I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.” He continued: “Right now, if I think with my head and think about the club, the solution and the best thing is for me to leave in June, that is how I feel.

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