It was towards the end of January when Barcelona manager Xavi announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season. His decision came out of the blue, even for those in the Catalan administration, and took the world by surprise.
Eleven games have passed since the coach’s public announcement, and Barcelona did not lose a single game in that duration. Further, they drew only thrice and have won eight times since the clash against Villarreal.
Pressuring the manager
Xavi announced his resignation from his post come June as he felt he was not the right candidate to take the club forward. The team’s poor run of form did not help his cause and only accelerated the procedure.
The manner in which he has turned the team’s situation around, however, leaves no doubt in the minds of the Blaugrana administration that he is the right candidate to lead the team going forward.
As revealed by MARCA, Barcelona are, thus, pressuring Xavi to reconsider his decision from multiple fronts.
The protagonist of the mission to extend Xavi’s contract is none other than Joan Laporta, who openly advocated for the same in a recent interview.
“I want Xavi to stay. I have already spoken to him and I insist on that. We made a commitment with Xavi that we will talk at the end of the season. Sometimes decisions are reconsidered,” he said.
Laporta wants Xavi to stay. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Pressure also flows in from the vice-president of the club, Rafa Yuste, who stated that they are planning a long-term project with the Spanish tactician recently.
“I hope and wish that he continues here because we are talking about a long-term project with him, not a season or two,” he said.
With even the Sporting Director Deco vocally involved in campaigning for Xavi’s continuity, it is clear that Barcelona are willing to throw the kitchen sink to secure the objective. The manager, however, repeatedly insists that he is firm on his decision.