March 25, (THEWILL)- Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has emphatically stated his desire for Xavi Hernandez to remain as the club’s manager beyond the current season. This comes after Xavi previously announced his intention to depart at the end of the campaign, following a challenging period marred by losses in El Clasico and a dip in La Liga fortunes.
However, the situation has taken a remarkable turn as Barcelona’s performances have soared both domestically and in Europe. The Catalan giants currently find themselves on an impressive 10-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and have booked a coveted UEFA Champions League quarter-final berth for the first time since 2020 after triumphing over SSC Napoli.
This resurgence has ignited calls from fans for Xavi to extend his stay at the helm. Reports indicate that three key conditions could potentially persuade the manager to reconsider his decision to leave. One of these conditions is believed to be Barcelona explicitly requesting Xavi to change his stance.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Laporta provided a strong indication that the club intends to make such a request. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, he already knows it [that Barca want Xavi to stay], but he notices it. I would like him to continue,” Laporta stated adamantly.
The president further elaborated, “I asked him if there was any way he could change his mind, but I saw him dealing with an insurmountable pressure that could be seen on his face, so I told him to relax if he saw it that way.” Laporta expressed optimism, adding, “Depending on how the season goes, he already knows. And he has the motivation that he wants to win to finish this stage with glory, or in order to think about it or continue.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
