Barcelona president will not sack Xavi irrespective of what happens in the Celta Vigo, Napoli games
After Xavi Hernandez announced in late January that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season, there was an expectation that the team would produce a strong reaction on the field and get things back on track.
That, however, has not been the case. After wins against Osasuna and Alaves, Barcelona were held to a shock 3-3 draw by 19th-placed Granada at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys last weekend.
The result increased the pressure on Xavi, with there even being calls to replace him right away rather than waiting until the end of the season.
But, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has retained his faith in the 44-year-old club legend, although it was suggested that another slip-up in the UEFA Champions League against Napoli could be the end.
Laporta not thinking about replacing Xavi
But now, SPORT is reporting that irrespective of the results of the Celta Vigo and the Napoli clashes over the next five days, Joan Laporta has no plans to remove Xavi from the managerial post at Barcelona.
Laporta has decided to keep Xavi whatever happens, aware that his endorsement is the best medicine to reassure the coach and the squad.
And he hopes that Barça will not be left behind in La Liga with another setback vs Celta Vigo and that they do not make life difficult in the Champions League on their trip to Naples next week.
Barcelona are confident that a reaction from the team can help them to beat Celta and get a positive result against Napoli that would allow them to stay on track for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals – which is the minimum requirement for the club.
But if there is a debacle in Vigo or Naples, Laporta does not want to sack Xavi for anything in the world. He has no intention of doing so.
However, the Barcelona president might have a detailed chat with the former midfielder and a scenario where Xavi himself decides to step away before June could arise.
Barça face Celta Vigo away at Balaidos tomorrow before travelling to Italy to take on Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night.
