Se queda. After months and months of uncertainty, Xavi finally decided to stay at FC Barcelona. However, it was not necessarily won. On January 27, after a 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal, the native of Terrassa announced his decision to leave the Catalan club at the end of the season. A real thunderbolt. But the former midfielder was sure of his choice. Even when Barça began to have a good series of successes, he continued to stay on his course by ensuring that he would not stay.
The underside of this choice
A.S. has also listed all the times Xavi said he would leave at the end of the season. What he had to do almost at every press conference. “If the objectives are not achieved, we must leave. My cycle ends on June 30. It’s not worth it and it needs to change.”, he explained in particular on February 2. However, Barça management continued to try to change his mind, while moving forward on a few avenues. The names of Rafa Marquez, appreciated by Deco, Thomas Tuchel or even Jürgen Klopp and Hansi Flick have been put forward.
But the residents of Camp Nou were not necessarily convinced. The sporting director, Deco, wanted to place Rafa Márquez. But President Joan Laporta thought it was far too risky a choice. Same thing for part of the board of directors who pushed for Xavi. And the latter finally decided to change his mind. The good results of the team, the attitude of the locker room and the will of the management weighed in the balance according to various Catalan and Spanish media. A version confirmed last night by the vice-president of FCB, Rafa Yuste, after the meeting which sealed the agreement between Xavi and the club.
Some leaders congratulate themselves
“It was a meeting between the president and the coach, during which Xavi showed us his commitment. He’s a local guy, he’s the person who can bet more than anyone else on the people in the house, I’m convinced he will do an excellent job, I’m very happy for him because he’s a great culé. At Barça we need victories, last year we won a La Liga and a Spanish Super Cup. In November we are going to return to the new Camp Nou, now there are six games left and we have to do our best. That Xavi can be there for the return to the new Camp Nou, I’m excited.”
He pursues : “the word is enthusiasm, project, commitment. The locker room will suit him very well. We are convinced that we can do great things.” Except that not everyone is of this opinion. On the set ofEl Chiringuito last night, Guti, formerly of Real Madrid, criticized his choice. “I’m surprised Xavi changed his mind. I think he had to go all the way.” And so go away according to him. Same thing for several journalists, including Siqué Rodriguez during the show El Larguero on the Cadena SER.
A decision that is not unanimous
“I wouldn’t blame Xavi for staying at Barça if he finishes third in the championship and not second. We hope that doesn’t happen. But today the simplest option was chosen and in my opinion, I hope I’m wrong, it will turn out badly. One of his colleagues (Romero) also commented. “Xavi says he’s leaving (…) He starts to consider that he could stay, and ultimately, he stays in any way and under any circumstances. The message sent to the locker room is clear, this coach stays because there is no other.
Same observation for Lluis Flaquer, who indicated in the program that if Barça had had more money, he would have opted for another coach. In Catalonia, this decision is not unanimous either. Sport explains that this choice caused a crisis within sports management. same for me Rac-1 who explains that Joan Laporta’s decision greatly surprised the board of directors of the Catalan club. Some have not ruled out resigning in the coming hours. A new crisis in perspective for the people of Barcelona.
