'Pointless' - Barcelona director Deco gives brutally honest assessment of farfetched Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp & Pep Guardiola links

The Catalan side are searching for a new manager after club legend Xavi confirmed earlier this year that he will depart at the end of the season. Arsenal boss Arteta is reportedly one of Barca's preferred candidates for the job, but he, along with the Manchester City and Liverpool managers, has been ruled out by Deco.

He told Què t’hi Jugues: "Obviously you can appreciate top managers like Guardiola, Klopp and Arteta but they’re not available. There’s no talk at all with them and it’s pointless to mention them. We’re not speaking to any manager."

It was reported early in March that the Camp Nou side have already made contact with Arteta over a possible summer move. Meanwhile, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi had been touted as an alternative, but they have reportedly cooled their interest in the Italian. Ex-Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is also in the frame, as president Joan Laporta is said to be an admirer of the currently unemployed manager.

While Barca's search for a replacement for Xavi continues, the ex-Spain international midfielder will hope to keep them in contention to win the Champions League, with the Blaugrana set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals next month.