Xavi Hernandez announced he will step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.
While the decision came as a shock to high-ranking Barcelona officers like Joan Laporta, tanking pressure on the Spaniard amid Barcelona's stuttering campaign made it inevitable.
Hernandez dropped the bombshell decision after Barcelona's dramatic 3-3 draw against Villarreal.
Since announcing his exit decision, the former Barcelona player turned manager has taken the team on an undefeated streak in both the domestic and European scene.
He has led the team to climb to overtake Girona on the table and climb to the second spot. They have also qualified for the last 8 of the Champions League after eliminating Napoli.
With the stats improving, there have been reports Xavi could be talked back from his decision to leave at the end of the season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been unwavering in his confidence in Xavi although the results were not coming, and there have been reports he is actively involved in getting Xavi to reverse his decision.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, Joan Laporta seems to affirm such reports as he fail to rule out his intervention from getting Xavi to rescind his statement.
Laporta said he would like to get Xavi to change his mind as he would like to keep him beyond next season but added it is up to the manager to make a decision.
“Barça president Laporta: “Xavi insists on saying he won’t change his mind and he’s gonna leave in June but… we will see”.
“I still hope to keep Xavi next season, but it’s only up to him”, told MD.
“I’d really, really, really like Xavi to change his mind and stay as Barça manager”.
After Barcelona booked a Champions League last quarterfinal ticket with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Napoli, Xavi Was quizzed whether he would change his mind if Barcelona win the Champions League and his response was a 'no.'
It is still unclear whether Laporta will get the 46-year-old to change his mind but as things stand, it is understood he is yet to change his mind yet.
While the decision came as a shock to high-ranking Barcelona officers like Joan Laporta, tanking pressure on the Spaniard amid Barcelona's stuttering campaign made it inevitable.
Hernandez dropped the bombshell decision after Barcelona's dramatic 3-3 draw against Villarreal.
Since announcing his exit decision, the former Barcelona player turned manager has taken the team on an undefeated streak in both the domestic and European scene.
He has led the team to climb to overtake Girona on the table and climb to the second spot. They have also qualified for the last 8 of the Champions League after eliminating Napoli.
With the stats improving, there have been reports Xavi could be talked back from his decision to leave at the end of the season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been unwavering in his confidence in Xavi although the results were not coming, and there have been reports he is actively involved in getting Xavi to reverse his decision.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, Joan Laporta seems to affirm such reports as he fail to rule out his intervention from getting Xavi to rescind his statement.
Laporta said he would like to get Xavi to change his mind as he would like to keep him beyond next season but added it is up to the manager to make a decision.
“Barça president Laporta: “Xavi insists on saying he won’t change his mind and he’s gonna leave in June but… we will see”.
“I still hope to keep Xavi next season, but it’s only up to him”, told MD.
“I’d really, really, really like Xavi to change his mind and stay as Barça manager”.
After Barcelona booked a Champions League last quarterfinal ticket with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Napoli, Xavi Was quizzed whether he would change his mind if Barcelona win the Champions League and his response was a 'no.'
It is still unclear whether Laporta will get the 46-year-old to change his mind but as things stand, it is understood he is yet to change his mind yet.