The top managerial position at FC Barcelona is once again surrounded with uncertainty as recent reports on the subject indicate that the club President, Joan Laporta, is determined to part ways with Xavi Hernandez.
The Barcelona President is disappointed and angry with some of the comments made by his head coach in a recent press conference, in which he admitted that it would be very difficult for him to compete with Real Madrid for the titles with his current squad.
Amid all this certainty, the Catalan club still has to fulfill its La Liga commitments, where there are still two games left to play, despite the team having already missed out on the title. Barcelona are set to face Rayo Vallecano tomorrow, and before this match, Xavi Hernandez has addressed the press in his customary press conference.
As was expected, the questions coming in this press conference dealt mainly with his future at the bench of Barcelona and the upcoming game against Rayo Vallecano.
The main highlights of this presser are as follows:
Winning this game will ensure a second-place finish for FC Barcelona in La Liga, which will also mean the club’s participation in the next edition of the Spanish Super Cup. Xavi also highlighted this aspect at the start of his presser:
“It is a great opportunity to secure the Super Cup. It’s a very important match and we want to settle it right from the start.”
When questioned about his future, Xavi did not disclose anything radical, and ensured that only positive things were conveyed to him from the club:
“The club conveys calmness and excitement to me, and we continue with the same ambition. I understand all the noise, but it doesn’t change anything.”
“I’m not interested. I get information, but what matters to me is having the confidence of the president and Deco, which remains intact. Nothing changes. I understand that the media have to publish things, but for me, nothing has changed.”
“We will sit down. If there’s something to discuss, we will do so. Three weeks ago, we sat here to announce that I was staying. Absolutely nothing has changed. If there is any change, we will let you know. I am calm and eager to face tomorrow’s match.”
“I can’t provide more information. We are eager to win, compete, and secure second place. I have zero doubts that things can go well. I have an extraordinary base in the squad, with people from La Masia who have become established. I remain eager and excited. Barça is the club of my life.”
Despite the uncertainty facing him, Xavi ensured that he was fully focused on the match tomorrow: “I am focused on tomorrow’s match. I’m not concerned about whether I deserve it or not. These things tend to happen.”
“I have conveyed to them that it is an honor to be at Barça. We are focused on tomorrow’s match.”
When asked for a message for the fans, Xavi only wanted them to enjoy seeing the team: “We must try to ensure that the Barça fans enjoy themselves. That the supporters are with us. The message is one of gratitude.”
The Barcelona head coach also clarified that President Laporta has not communicated with him regarding his future:
“I am responding to things that are coming out in the media. The president has not conveyed this to me. He has conveyed to me that it is very important to win to secure the second place.”
Before ending the presser, Xavi shared the hope that things will improve in the coming days, and also made it clear that he was happy to be at Barcelona:
“I am happy because I am in the best club in the world. Criticisms make me improve. Nothing changes. I am eager to show that we can continue to be competitive. This year hasn’t gone our way, but I am convinced that things can turn out well.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
