Xavi Disputes Rumors That Barcelona Board Thinking Of His Removal

After Xavi Hernández stated that Barcelona’s bad financial situation will make it difficult for the team to compete with Real Madrid, numerous reports in Spanish media on Saturday claimed that the club’s management was thinking about sacking the coach.

Xavi stated during a pregame news conference,

“I have received the message from the club to maintain my composure and to work with the same zeal and dedication. Nothing has changed.”

Xavi was questioned almost exclusively about rumors that circulated in the sports press in Spain earlier this week that the club president, Joan Laporta, was upset with Xavi for saying earlier that week that

“the current scenario is very challenging, above all on the economic level, for us to contend with our top rivals, whether it be Real Madrid or teams in Europe.”

It was reported by the media that Laporta is considering Xavi’s successor for the summer. On Saturday, Xavi firmly stated that the club had not informed him of any such thing.

Watch: IS XAVI ABOUT TO BE SACKED BY JOAN LAPORTA?!

“I have no idea where that information is coming from, and I don’t care. The president and Deco, our sports director, back me.”
Former Barcelona player declared.

Regarding the reports, Laporta and the club have not released any official statements. When The Associated Press questioned the club, it replied it had nothing to say about them.

For a coach who, three weeks before, had reversed a January decision to leave the club this summer, even if Barcelona decides to retain Xavi on, it is still a difficult scenario. When his players demonstrated to him that they felt the team had promise and that they had progressed, Xavi stated in April that he had changed his mind.

When Laporta rejoined the team in 2021 for a second stint as manager, he took over a club beset by debts totaling more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) and soccer’s priciest payroll.

After superstar Lionel Messi left the squad a few months later, he invited back fan favorite Xavi, who had been coaching in Qatar, to oversee a team rebuild.

However, due to insufficient funds and escalating debts, Laporta was forced to sell off club assets and future television earnings, which he referred to as financial “levers,” in order to bring in Robert Lewandowski and other players two seasons prior.

Barcelona won the Spanish league championship the previous season under Xavi’s leadership. Barça, meanwhile, has had a difficult season and won’t win any championships.

Xavi appeared to be attempting to temper the expectations of supporters who are accustomed to the team making big summer acquisitions with his remarks earlier this week.

The team is more likely to sell players this off-season than to acquire fresh talent because its wages still above the pay cap set by the Spanish league.

In order to guarantee second place in the domestic league and a spot in the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona plays Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.