Signs are beginning to emerge that outgoing FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez might continue in his role after all, even if he insists that his mind is made up on the matter.
The Catalan announced his June 30 resignation in late January, after Barca suffered a devastating 5-3 loss to Villarreal at the Montjuic Stadium which at the time seemed to have ended hopes of retaining the La Liga crown.
With bitter rivals Real Madrid currently first place in the Spanish top flight table, and nursing a comfortable eight-point lead over his men, that still looks a likely outcome come May amid Barca fluffing its lines on several golden opportunities to reduce the deficit, and at least have a fighting chance ahead of an April installment of El Clasico at the Bernabeu.
Though the Super Cup and Copa del Rey are also out of reach, with the former crown ceded to Madrid in Saudi Arabia, Barca’s flailing 2023/2024 has been given fresh oxygen by Tuesday’s victory over Napoli in the Champions League.
Xavi fired back at the press following a 3-1 last 16 second leg victory on the night and 4-2 triumph on aggregate which guaranteed qualification to the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
He reminded the media of how it said he would lose control of the locker room by prematurely announcing his departure, and pointed to sealing last eight participation in Europe’s elite competition as proof that it would instead liberate a squad he feels is unfairly criticized by the “entorno” environment that engulfs the club.
Barca vice-president Rafa Yuste said that he respects the legendary midfielder and his decision following the match, but that Xavi also “knows what I think and let’s see what happens”.
“I like Xavi a lot,” Yuste added, seeming to leave the door open to a change of heart. Sporting Director Deco has done likewise, which AS reminds us, saying that Xavi backing out of walking through the exit would be evaluated by the board.
And while Xavi quipped that he has an “expiry date” in his pre-match press conference, Barca’s failure to appoint a successor, which will be resolved by the end of the month according to SPORT, means that what would be an astonishing backstep from the 44-year-old – especially if Barca advances further in Europe – can’t be ruled out despite his protests.
Even if Xavi said post-match that his “future will not change”, it is certainly something a growing number of fans in the Montjuic Stadium want after being heard chanting for him to stay in the closing minutes of the Napoli triumph.
