Xavi's Barcelona bombshell has left the club with four months to find a replacement to take over next season.
News of his dramatic departure came after his side's farcical defeat by Villarreal.
Bologna's Thiago Motta is the early favourite but many supporters want Girona's Michel, while Joan Laporta is a long-time admirer of Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, the club's reserve boss, Rafa Marquez, has admitted he would find it difficult to turn down the job and has been tipped to be another candidate.
Mikel Arteta, however, is not in the running despite a bombshell report in Catalan outlet Sport suggesting he could leave at the end of the season.