Barcelona head coach Xavi has on Saturday provided an insight into the warm embrace between he and vice-president Rafa Yuste at the club’s training ground.
The subject of relations between Xavi and the board in Catalunya’s capital has of course taken its place front and centre in the media chatter over the course of the last 24 hours.
This comes after the 44-year-old was informed that his services on the touchline will no longer be required beyond the summer.
Incredibly, word of as much comes a mere matter of weeks on from Barcelona publicly announcing their manager’s continuity for next season.
The ex-midfielder, as a result, could not exactly be blamed if he found himself harbouring some ill will towards those behind the scenes at the Camp Nou at this moment in time.
It therefore came as something of a surprise when, on Saturday afternoon, Xavi was photographed in a warm and friendly embrace with Blaugrana vice-president Rafa Yuste.
Yuste, for his part, awaited Xavi’s arrival onto the grass at the Ciutat Esportiva, before personally seeking out the attentions of the club’s departing coach:
Speaking during his final press conference as Barca boss this afternoon, Xavi, in turn, was drawn on the exchange in question.
And the Spanish tactician made use of the opportunity to label Yuste an ‘amazing person’:
“The meaning of Rafa Yuste’s hug? He’s an amazing person that has always been close to me. I am very grateful to him.”
Conor Laird
