Xavi Hernandez's time as Barcelona manager will end at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

Despite the Blaugrana legend's best efforts, it hasn't really worked out long-term in a role that comes with huge pressure and constant scrutiny.

Barca sit eight points off the La Liga summit and head back home with a 1-1 draw in the Champions League Round of 16 after Wednesday's tie with Napoli.

Someone new will take up the hot seat soon, but who is best suited out of those currently linked? Let's take a look.

5. Rafael Marquez

We know Barcelona like to keep it in the family.

Even before Xavi's decision to step down was public, club legend Rafael Marquez was being touted as the most likely candidate to replace him.

It's an easy link that makes sense–the Mexican has been coach of Barcelona B since 2022–but it's difficult to see what potential he could squeeze out of the team that Xavi couldn't.

Firstly, Barcelona should be targeting a more experienced coach once Xavi leaves. Marquez spent just a few months with Alcalá under-15s side before a lengthy break eventually led to him getting the nod with Barca's reserves.

The 45-year-old has never taken charge of a top-level professional match. It doesn't really matter that he was a tough leader on the pitch, managing a club with Barcelona's expectations would test even the most established coaches.

Marquez is probably the cheapest appointment for Joan Laporta, who continues to oversee dire finances, but the president is asking too much to repeat the magic of Pep Guardiola's evolution as a coach.

Does Barca really need a less experienced coach than it already had? One who plays similar football to the person leaving? No, they don't.

4. Hansi Flick

It's staggering to think Hansi Flick became the first Germany national coach in history to be sacked.

Die Mannschaft's 4-1 humbling at the hands of Japan in September was the final straw of a dismal tenure that included elimination from the 2022 World Cup at the group stage. Just 12 wins in 25 matches is at odds with what he achieved at Bayern Munich, though.

Flick mopped up seven trophies in two years with Bayern, including a Champions League final win over Paris Saint-Germain. He's calm under pressure, smart and a clear communicator of instructions. He doesn't currently speak Spanish, though. German paper Bild, via AS, suggests he is in the process of learning in case the opportunity arises.

Being able to communicate properly is obviously important. Flick does have Barca attributes in his coaching philosophy—he likes to dictate play with centre-backs controlling the ball, for example—but remove the precision of his communication, and frustration may quickly set in.

There's also the sense the 58-year-old needs to succeed in another job without the, ahem, almost-guaranteed success of Bayern before stepping back into such a huge role.

3. Garcia Pimienta

Barcelona DNA? Check. Tactically astute? Check. Promoted with a smaller club and then impressing in La Liga? Check. Garcia Pimienta isn't as sexy a name as someone like Rafa Marquez if Barca insist on sticking with managers forged in their identity, but he might just be the most interesting appointment of that type.

The 49-year-old has an incredible amount of coaching experience at Barca, having worked in various youth ranks from 2006 until being let go in 2021. This time included a UEFA Youth League win and getting Barcelona B to the play-offs twice. He now, vitally, has senior managerial experience to point to as well.

Las Palmas sit 10th in La Liga with 10 wins, five draws and 10 losses, including a goal difference of zero. Entirely mid-table is a huge achievement at this point; they are completely safe and looking up rather than down.

It recently took Real Madrid until the 84th minute to score their winner in a 2-1 victory against Las Palmas, with Barcelona needing a 93rd-minute penalty to do the same. This season has included wins over Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Valencia.

It won't be long until someone bigger gives Pimienta a chance, whether Barca go for him or not.

2. Mikel Arteta

To be clear, I don't think Mikel Arteta is likely to join Barcelona in the summer. I do, however, think he'd be an excellent pick if he ever became available. He is someone who could freshen up the club without totally dismantling its identity.

Arteta, 41, has found an excellent style of play at Arsenal that combines control and directness to an often devastating effect. He trusts his players into forward-thinking possession; holding the ball is important, but so is moving up the pitch at speed. He's a strict tactician who improves most players he works with. Years spent as Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City certainly weren't wasted.

Few would have expected the former Everton midfielder to push the Gunners to title contention last season. Even fewer would have expected him to replicate it this year.

It's impossible not to be impressed by a manager who maintains authority while playing entertaining, goalscoring football. Arsenal would be remiss to let him go, though.

1. Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi is one of the most exciting young coaches in the world. He's a man who will be linked with Europe's elite clubs whenever there's a managerial vacancy to fill.

His Brighton & Hove Albion side have built on the excellent work of Graham Potter and become one of England's most entertaining sides by playing fast-paced, aggressive attacking football against opponents that often can't keep up.

The next Barca coach will need time on what is essentially a project of rebuilding without major resources. De Zerbi is used to working with a modest budget by Premier League standards and is even more used to seeing his star players plucked for sums too good to turn down. He always finds a solution.

Vitally, the 44-year-old also knows how to speak Spanish and he's used to giving young players important roles in his team. The likes of João Pedro, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra, Billy Gilmour and Jack Hinshelwood have strode forwards with confidence under his tutelage. Even Barca loanee Ansu Fati looked like he was regaining his swagger before injury slowed his momentum.

Barca often make managerial signings that Europe's other biggest clubs wouldn't look at, so for once, it would be beneficial to try to act decisively ahead of the pack.

Hiring someone of De Zerbi's profile would be the start of a very exciting era.