Xavi may have come under severe pressure for the team’s poor start to the season, but it is hard to deny the fact that he has made a tangible difference in his tenure as manager.
Taking over a team in disarray from Ronald Koeman, he single-handedly turned around Barcelona’s 2021-22 season to give the team a respectable second-place finish before leading them to the league title last season.
Constant pressure from the media and sub-par performances from the team, however, pressurized Xavi into announcing his departure from the club at the end of the season.
Barcelona have been on the look for a new coach ever since, but talks have cooled down in recent weeks with a lingering hope that the Spanish tactician may come around.
Speaking in an elaborate interview with Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta came out publicly to back Xavi and even call for his continuity beyond this season.
“I would like Xavi to stay,” is the quote from Laporta’s presser that stole the headlines, but the president went on to speak in detail about what he valued about the manager and why he favoured his continuity.
On Xavi’s future
Speaking about the manager’s decision to leave at the end of the season, Laporta insisted that while he respected the legend’s decision, he was hoping the situation would turn around.
“I would like Xavi to stay. But I’ll say one thing, we are not talking about it. I’ve already told him that all coaches want to come to Barça, at least I’m receiving proposals from everywhere.”
“I’ve told Xavi that we respect the fact that he will stay until the end of the season. It was his decision,” he added.
Laporta unveiling Xavi as Barcelona coach. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Further commenting on Xavi’s future and the chance the Spanish tactician stays for another season, Laporta refused to provide any guarantee.
“Xavi already knows that I would like him to continue. I have already told him that. I asked him if…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-president-reveals-he-wants-xavi-to-continue-coaching-i-already-told-him/
Author : Adithya Eshwarla
Publish date : 2024-03-22 07:30:00
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