Current odds on the new Barcelona manager show there is now a clear and outright favourite for the job

There is a clear favourite for the Barcelona job, according to the bookies.

In January, Xavi Hernandez announced he would leave his post as Barcelona manager at the end of the season, amid the Catalan giants' dismal title defence.

Xavi said he felt “liberation” at walking away from a job that he described as “cruel and unpleasant”.

He also insisted the club needed a “change of direction” and that he could “not allow the situation to continue”. Xavi labelled the decision as “common sense”, adding that, “as a Barcelona fan”, he felt that in leaving he was doing “the right thing”.

Several managers have been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant post, but according to odds comparison site oddschecker, Hansi Flick is the favourite to take over the role.

Last month Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed that the former Germany and Bayern Munich boss had changed agents and was considering potential opportunities in Spain and England.

Flick, who was sacked as Germany boss last year is said to be among many names on Barcelona’s list of managerial replacements. However, most bookies have him as the clear favourite at 5/2.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is the second favourite to take over from Xavi. Marquez led Barcelona's reserve side to a fourth-place finish last season before losing to Real Madrid in the playoffs.

Flick left his post as Germany manager last year (Getty)

When asked by reporters if he would be happy to take the Barcelona job, Marquez, who most bookies list at 10/1, replied: “Who wouldn't be, right?”

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who has also been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Liverpool job, is listed at 12/1 by the majority of bookies.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders, is the fourth favourite to take charge of the Catalan giants, alongside Girona manager Michel. The pair are both listed at 16/1.