Pep Guardiola tells Barcelona who should replace Xavi as manager

Pep Guardiola has told his former club Barcelona who should replace Xavi as manager when he steps down at the end of the season.

Barcelona legend Xavi announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season because he thinks "the situation needs to change course".

The La Liga giants are currently eight points behind leaders and rivals Real Madrid in the table and continue to face struggles off the pitch financially.

Since the announcement, rumours have swirled about who could replace Xavi at Camp Nou and now Guardiola has had his say.

The club often consult former players and coaches when making managerial decisions and president Joan Laporta recently revealed he had asked Guardiola for advice.

As reported by TMW, Pep strongly recommended Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi as the man to replace Xavi in the summer.

De Zerbi has been linked to the job and given his success at turning Brighton into a formidable outfit it's not a surprise.

Neither is the fact Guardiola recommended him. The Manchester City boss has praised the Italian several times highlighting the 'wonderful football' he has produced whilst at Brighton.

Reports have also suggested that Guardiola sees De Zerbi as a potential future manager of City.

He guided Brighton to a remarkable sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season which saw them qualify for the Europa League.

They take on Italian side AS Roma in the last-16 and are on track to qualify for Europe for the second successive year as they currently sit seventh in the league table.

De Zerbi isn't the only manager linked with the Barcelona hot seat and faces strong competition from Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.

They both have a greater pedigree in Europe but unlike De Zerbi don't have the backing of a club legend.