It is now a long way from the time when Joan Laporta courted Xavi when the latter was at the time coach of Al-Sadd in Qatar. Returning to Catalonia with great fanfare in 2021 to replace Ronald Koeman, the former midfielder was the head of the returning Laporta project. Today, the 2008 and 2012 European champion is clearly in question despite a successful 2022/2023 season (Spanish Super Cup + La Liga). First in Group H in the Champions League, the reigning Spanish champion is less dashing in La Liga.
More friction on the transfer window
Fourth in the standings, the Blaugrana are four points behind the Merengue leader. This Monday, in the event of a victory, Girona can even regain first place and put the Catalans six lengths behind. Mention “can do better”, but the situation is far from catastrophic. However, as far as Xavi is concerned, the problem seems to come more from his relationships with his superiors than from his performance as coach, even if his management of João Cancelo – whom he never blows away – is singled out by Sport.
Indeed, the Joan Laporta-Deco duo only seems to do as they please, often giving the impression of snubbing Xavi. The latest example is very telling. At a time when the Blaugrana coach is calling for the arrival of a midfielder in January to compensate in particular for Gavi’s serious injury, here is what Deco responded to him yesterday on DAZN. “Replace Gavi? Honestly, he’s an important player and difficult to replace because of the character and spirit he gives to the team., said the sports director culé, before announcing that the only recruit who should arrive will be the Brazilian striker Vitor Roque. A profile not really similar to that of Gavi…
Xavi snubbed by his superiors?
Comments which echo those made by Laporta a few days earlier. “In principle we think we have a very competitive team and that the coach has enough elements to continue to have a good campaign this season.” Is Xavi seeing the tide turn? The transfer window has always been a point of friction between the Deco-Laporta tandem and him. Remember last summer. Laporta was pushing to recruit João Félix while Xavi didn’t want him. The 2010 world champion finally agreed to see the Portuguese arrive on the condition of seeing a midfielder come. A condition that Laporta accepted by hiring Oriol Romeu.
Today, the Cadena SER brings us other elements demonstrating that Xavi, whose lease runs until 2025, has reason to doubt his Catalan future in the short term. This Sunday, Joan Laporta went to watch the reserve team’s match. At the end of the match (won 2-0 against Cornella), the Barça boss went to the locker room to congratulate the team and its coach. An event that is causing a lot of talk in Spain. The reason ? Because Barça Atlètic is coached by a certain Rafa Márquez, whose name has been mentioned to replace Xavi. A coach close to… Deco, whose relations with Xavi are cordial, nothing more.
Rafa Márquez is popular
“It caught my attention, not because Laporta can’t go and give his support, but because it could be misinterpreted in the sense that Rafa Márquez, who is a coach very close to Deco, supported Laporta to become president again and that he is highly appreciated for starting from the bottom of the ladder and taking charge of Barça’s reserve team. There is a certain excitement and I have the impression that Xavi feels a little alone. Laporta has always advocated that the first team coach be trained in the reserve team., confided SER journalist Sique Rodriguez. Xavi is not yet on the brink of the precipice, but the Rafa Márquez threat does seem to exist.
In any case, when faced with the media, Xavi does not flinch. Questioned this afternoon at a press conference before the reception of FC Porto in the Champions League, the Spanish coach assures that he is not worried. “I have the confidence of the president, of Deco and of my collaborators, who are also friends, including my brother. I have the support of the players, so I firmly believe that things will work out.”. And regarding what happened this weekend between Laporta and Rafa Márquez, once again Xavi has the answer. “It’s an image that shows that we are all united. I don’t see any problem. He comes down to the locker room every day, if you want I’ll show you the photos”. The Catalan press did not ask for that much.
