Xavi used to play in one of the best FC Barcelona teams in the history of the club, and had a remarkable assemblage of players around him that took the club to unprecedented heights under Pep Guardiola.
One of the players who played with Xavi in that legendary team and then went on to play also under Xavi when he became the coach for Barcelona was the defender Gerard Pique.
Pique wants Barcelona to be patient with Xavi
Pique retired during the last season as his age kept him from performing at the standards he expected from himself, but retains his confidence in Xavi as the coach for Barcelona. The former defender has reiterated his faith in the Barcelona head coach in a recent interview, which has been reported by SPORT.
Pique recommended the club to be patient with Xavi, especially as he believed he could come up with solutions to the team’s problems after the defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk:
“Patience with Xavi? You always need to have it. You have to try to read what’s happening. Only when you don’t see solutions, you have to give up on the coach. Xavi knows the club; he’s been here for many years, and he has imbibed the way of playing.”
Pique disclosed that he has not talked to Xavi since the end of last season, but gave his full support to the former midfielder for his position on the Barcelona bench:
“I don’t think there’s anyone better than him to handle the situation. I believe he’s the right choice. I haven’t talked to him since I retired. Well, I did talk to him on the day of the league celebration; he mentioned that I could come to the celebration. But it hasn’t happened. I’ve spoken with Laporta, and it’s been very good.”
The World Cup winner also commented on the youngsters that are rising out at Barcelona:
“I had shared some training sessions with Lamine; the other two (Fermín and Guiu) were a surprise. They shouldn’t bear too much responsibility. We can’t expect Fermín to win us the Champions League in these first two years.”
Becoming the President of Barcelona
Pique has frequently been pushed as a future candidate for the Presidency of Barcelona, and he also did not rule out contesting for this position at the club in the future:
“It’s a complex situation; if you weigh what you gain and what you lose, you always lose. But considering what the club has done for me, if I had to help, I would. I don’t rule it out, but it’s not something I have in mind right now.”
However, Pique was clear that if he went for such a role, it would only be for the exclusive benefit of the club, and he expected nothing for himself:
“It’s very sacrificial; you put everything in for the good of the club without any financial or other benefits. If it goes wrong, it’s something no one wants to experience. It’s tough. I would only consider it for the bond because I feel like I owe a lot to the club.”
It might be some time before Barcelona fans see Pique in any capacity at the club, but as he himself has not ruled it out, he may very likely return at the very top, as the President of the club that he had served faithfully for most part of his playing career.
