Barca president accepts Xavi's proposal

Spain Barca President Joan Laporta accepted coach Xavi's proposal to work until the end of the season and then leave.

"Xavi has told me he will leave at the end of the season," Laporta told Mundo Deportivo on January 28. "He wants to finish the season and that is a formula I accept because it was Xavi who proposed it to me. He is a legend of Barca, an honest person, who acts with complete dignity, and who loves Barca."

On January 27, after Barca lost 3-5 to Villarreal in round 22 of La Liga, Xavi announced that he did not want to be a problem for the team and would leave at the end of the season. Laporta was not present at the press conference with the coach.

Laporta (left) welcomes Xavi back as coach in November 2021, at Camp Nou. Photo: FCB — Laporta (left) welcomes Xavi back as coach in November 2021, at Camp Nou. Photo: *FCB*

Xavi returned to Camp Nou in November 2021, when Barca fell to ninth place in La Liga and were in crisis under former coach Ronald Koeman. The presence of the former captain and midfielder had a positive impact on the team. Barca finished the 2021-2022 season in second place and won the championship the following season.

However, the early results of the 2023-2024 season have not really satisfied fans. Barca is ranked third in La Liga after 21 matches, 11 points behind Girona (played one more match) and 10 points behind Real. Xavi's team also disappointed when losing 1-2 to Real Madrid in La Liga, 1-4 in the European Super Cup final, and 2-4 to Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Barca's chances of qualifying for the Champions League are almost gone. They will face Napoli in the last 16 on February 21 and March 12. "La Liga is very difficult, but it's clear that hope is not lost," Laporta added. "We have to fight to climb as high as possible and we can't rule out defending the title. We also have to give everything we have to try to win the Champions League. We face Napoli in the next round and we're taking it step by step. With commitment, character, concentration, the coach and the players giving their all, we can achieve some goals."

According to bookmaker Ladbrokes, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is the number one candidate to replace Xavi. The Italian coach is highly regarded for turning Brighton into a phenomenon of the Premier League, finishing sixth in the 2022-2023 season and currently ranked seventh this season. The two candidates ranked right behind are Rafael Marquez, coach of Barca B, and Julen Lopetegui, former coach of Wolves and Real Madrid.

However, Mundo Deportivo newspaper said that President Laporta is considering the possibility of appointing Hansi Flick. The former Bayern coach has not accepted to lead any club after leaving the German national team at the end of 2023.

Xavi played for Barca from 1998 to 2015, winning four Champions Leagues, eight La Liga titles and two trebles. He also helped Spain win the Euro 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup. Before returning to Barca, Xavi led Al Sadd to the Qatar championship in the 2018-2019 season.

Thanh Quy (according to Mundo Deportivo )

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