FOOTBALL/ FC Barcelona: Major Twist, Xavi could ultimately leave the Catalan Club
Although he was reappointed to his position in April by the Barcelona management, coach Xavi is not expected to stay long on the bench, according to the entire Catalan press. President Joan Laporta has reportedly decided to part ways with the club icon.
The future of Xavi on the Barcelona bench has taken another turn. Initially set to leave and then reassured in his position, the coach of the Catalan club might ultimately be dismissed if the information from Catalan radio station RAC1, confirmed by several Spanish newspapers, is to be believed.
Joan Laporta, the president of Barça, has reportedly changed his mind and decided to part ways with his coach after the final match of the season against Sevilla FC, scheduled for May 25. In April, the two men had shown unity and appeared together at a press conference, even though the 44-year-old coach had announced his departure several weeks earlier. « I think the project is not finished, and we have many options to continue winning », Xavi had declared to the press at the time, signaling his intention to continue with the club.
The reasons for this turnaround are reportedly linked to Xavi’s recent comments about Barça’s economic situation. « The current situation is not the same as it was 25 years ago, when a coach would ask for this player or that player and they would be brought in without any problem. Today, that is no longer possible, and our rivals are in much better conditions than we are », the coach stated, while Real Madrid easily secured the Spanish championship this season.
These statements reportedly annoyed Joan Laporta to the point that he wants to dismiss the Spanish coach and start looking for his replacement. Sérgio Conceição, Hansi Flick, and Rafael Marquez are among those mentioned.