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Barcelona Presidential candidate Joan Laporta has reportedly shortlisted Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as a potential replacement for current manager Ronald Koeman. Arteta was made the Arsenal coach in 2019 and guided the team to a FA Cup title. He also led the Community Shield over Premier League champions Liverpool in his first year, while Koeman has failed to land a trophy so far in his maiden season with Barcelona.
Laporta's appointment of Guardiola as Barca manager in 2008 changed club's history
Laporta, the lawyer-cum politician, who is among the favourites to win the Barca Presidential elections, is hoping to get the former La Masia graduate and Pep Guardiola's assistant to take over the Catalans and guide it back to its glory days. Notably, it was Laporta himself, who had appointed Guardiola at the helm of affairs during his first stint as the club President back in 2008. That call went on to have a significant impact in the history of the club as the La Liga side regained its identity as a European giant. The 58-year-old is now said to have been impressed with Arteta's work at Arsenal and wants the Spaniard to return to Barcelona this time as their manager.
Koeman not looking good at Barca
As far as Koeman is concerned, things are not looking good for the club under his leadership. They not only lost the SuperCopa de Espana to Real Betis but are already behind in their domestic league title race. In addition, they will have to overturn a 1-4 defeat to PSG from the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 and a 0-2 loss to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semifinal.
Reports suggest that if Laporta becomes the club President for the second time, then there is a good chance that Arteta might replace Koeman at Barcelona. Despite the Gunners apparently struggling this season, Arteta has delivered good results from time to time to keep them in the contest- a quality which has impressed many of the top European clubs.