Barcelona’s Top Official Offers Insight Into Club’s Managerial Strategy
Barcelona’s vice-president, Rafa Yuste, has expressed his efforts to retain head coach Xavi beyond the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. In late January, Xavi declared his intention to step down as manager of the Catalan club this summer, citing it as the best course of action for both parties. However, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has reiterated several times that the possibility of Xavi staying remains open, with club president Joan Laporta reportedly eager to retain him.
Following the unexpected announcement, the La Liga champions have secured victories in eight out of their 11 matches across all competitions, maintaining an unbeaten streak. Currently, Barcelona trails La Liga leaders Real Madrid by just five points in the standings, while they are gearing up to face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Xavi maintains that he will be leaving this summer
Xavi reiterated his intention to step down as manager at the end of the season during a statement on Friday.
However, Yuste has disclosed that efforts are underway to retain the 44-year-old, who is seen as a crucial part of “a comprehensive plan” at Camp Nou.
“Xavi is aware of our aspirations. Ultimately, it’s his personal decision, and I’ll do my utmost to persuade him to stay,” Yuste informed the media.
“We believe he should savor the moment. With a substantial portion of the La Liga season remaining and the Champions League ahead, there’s still much to accomplish. As a product of La Masia, I sincerely hope he opts to remain.
“We envision a long-term strategy under his guidance, and we possess the squad to achieve remarkable feats in the future. Our ambitions extend beyond just a season or two.”
Barcelona’s excellent form continued against Las Palmas on Saturday
Barcelona extended their winning streak to four matches across all competitions after securing a narrow 1-0 victory against Las Palmas on Saturday. Raphinha’s goal in the 59th minute proved to be the sole difference between the two sides.
Reflecting on the match, Xavi expressed his thoughts to reporters, highlighting the team’s struggle to close out games this season. He remarked, “The scoreline doesn’t reflect what we witnessed today. We’ve faced challenges in finishing matches this season.”
“We put in a good performance, but the result was tight. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, we failed to seal the deal earlier and had to endure some tense moments,” Xavi added. “It’s a recurring theme for us this season. Nevertheless, there are positives to take away. We exhibited fluid ball movement, exploited spaces effectively, and displayed ambition and determination.”
Looking ahead, Barcelona will travel to Paris for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on April 10, followed by a league fixture against Cadiz three days later.
