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The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has disclosed that the club is willing to extend the present head coach’s contract.
Xavi made 767 appearances for the Catalan club as a player, scoring 85 goals and dishing out 184 assists.
The Spanish manager began his managing career at Al-Sadd, where he won seven trophies over the course of two years (2019-2021).
Xavi returned to the Camp Nou in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman in the Barcelona dugout.
Despite having been eliminated from both the Champions League and Europa League this season, Barcelona has earned domestic triumph.
The Catalan giants presently hold a nine-point advantage over Real Madrid atop the La Liga standings as they seek to end their four-year wait for a league championship.
In addition, they won the Spanish Super Cup earlier this year and hold a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid after the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.
Laporta Indicates Xavi will Stay and Transfer Future
With Xavi’s current contract set to expire in June 2024, Laporta indicated that the club is eager to extend the 43-year-contract. old’s
“I have planned the renewal of Xavi even if we do not win La Liga,” Laporta told reporters. “I have told him… I want to convey a message of tranquillity.”
“I have already thought about the renewal. He took a gamble, he knows the club perfectly well and defends this genuine style of play that we have at Barcelona,” Laporta explained.
“He doesn’t make us stretch our arm more than our sleeve. Talking about the concern about the club’s economy, he doesn’t ask for crazy things. He understands the club’s situation.”
Xavi Comes Close to Club Record Points Total
Xavi supervised his 50th La Liga match on Sunday, as Barcelona defeated Valencia 1-0 despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men following Ronald Araujo’s red card.
In Xavi’s first 50 league contests, Barcelona had won 37 victories and accumulated 118 points.
Xavi’s point total is second only to Luis Enrique’s 127 points in his first 50 games as Barcelona manager.
The La Liga leaders are presently preparing for Sunday’s away match against Athletic Bilbao, who are coached by Ernesto Valverde, a former Barcelona manager.
The side recently stemmed a flow of bad results with two wins over arch rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and another 1-0 win over Valencia at the weekend courtesy of a Raphina goal.
The Camp Nou club currently lead the La Liga standings with such a big point advantage of Real after 24 games played. The side face Real again in the coming weeks as they host their rivals in the second leg of their Copa del Rey fixture, in which they hold a one goal advantage.
If all goes well for Barca, they will compete again in the Champions League next season. However, they will have to strengthen if they are to avoid being knocked out of the competition as they were this season.
To do that, Laporta and the Barcelona officials may have to give more spending power to Xavi so that the side can once again compete and win silverware at the highest level in European football in the near future.
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