The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have not yet given up hope of departing head coach Xavi Hernández reversing his decision, to stay put beyond the summer.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who have on Wednesday provided a fresh insight into developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.
Xavi, of course, made official late last month his intention to step down from his post as Barca headmaster in the summer.
As much came amid a concerning stretch of form on the part of the Blaugrana, which saw their hopes of silverware for the campaign all but brought to an end.
And yet, in the boardroom at Barcelona, Xavi maintains the full support of a number of key figures.
In fact, as per the aforementioned Sport, club president Joan Laporta has ‘conveyed to him informally, but also sincerely and with determination,’ his hope that the Spaniard will ultimately fulfill the terms of his contract, through the summer of 2025.
Xavi and Laporta maintain an excellent relationship, with the latter having therefore reiterated such wishes on a number of occasions over the course of the last month.
And Barca’s president has been joined in pushing the same message by Rafa Yuste – sports vice president – too.
Such endeavours come amid what has proven a frustrating search for Xavi’s replacement in the dugout at the Camp Nou with a view to next season.
Deco and co. are understood to have been firmly rebuffed by more than one leading managerial target, making the familiarity and stability brought about by the club’s current lead tactician an appealing fallback option.
Conor Laird | GSFN
