After the sixth defeat of the season and after losing two titles in the last two weeks, Xavi has once again heard questions about his future, his continuity and his desire to continue on the Barcelona bench. The coach emphasizes that he is calm and strong, with the hope that the season ends well, but he also slipped that he does not see himself in office for nine seasons like Jürgen Klopp, who has just announced his goodbye at Liverpool. “I have been in office for two and a half years. “I think I have less time left than more,” he noted.
To add more verisimilitude to his reflection, the man from Egara reviewed the history of the most successful coaches of the 21st century at Barça. “The coaches who have won, like Guardiola and Luis Enrique, were there for four and three years, respectively. There will come a point when I will leave: you can rest assured,” he told the press.
It wasn't so long ago that the coach linked his future to winning titles this season, that was the objective he had to achieve. But for now the board tells him that he should not worry and that the grades will be posted in June. “The leaders tell me that they have complete confidence and that I should forget not to continue. What matters here is that there is a project. The president was proud the other day. Another thing is the sensations that you may have. I have no problem talking about my continuity. “We have been talking since August and I am still here.”
Xavi reiterated that since the preseason there has been talk about his position despite the closeness of the League being won 22-23. “We are talking about my continuity since July when we lost a friendly against Arsenal. I live another reality. I'm calm, whether I'm lucky or not to know the club a lot. I know names are coming up but what worries me is competing. If Wednesday had passed we would be saying that Barcelona has returned. We compete with soul and courage,” he noted about the elimination of the Cup in San Mamés.
The coach believes that you have to be aware of the moment the club is in. “Maybe I'm the only one who understands the club's situation. The difficulty is maximum difficulty, a historical difficulty.” But he also asked Barcelona fans to value what they have. “I don't know if this is unfair to me. But it happens a lot. In this club we always value people when they start to leave. He goes through Valverde, Koeman, Busquets, who was massacred for the last four years. This is a historical mistake by Barça: we have to evaluate things now. Let's reflect aloud."
Regarding the League, Xavi considers that the next two home games, against Villarreal this Saturday and Osasuna, are essential to reengage. “I think we can get into the League. There are two home games coming up that are six points but the League no longer depends on us. I think we have the team to compete in both competitions.”
Of course, the coach believes that they should put an end to the goals in the first minutes. “Today we talked precisely about that. It is a mental and concentration issue. I think we can find the solution. “We are working to ensure that it does not happen again.”
Finally, Xavi wanted to send his support to Balde, who must decide whether to undergo surgery after his injury in San Mamés. “We have been meeting with the family and with Balde. The doctors have advised him. But he has to decide. It's his career and he's very young. We will support you. He is an important player. With whatever he chooses, we will support him,” he reassured her.
