Xavi elects to stay at Barcelona and manage in 2024/25

Spanish manager Xavi is staying at Barcelona for at least one additional season. In doing so, Xavi goes back on his words that he would leave after the current campaign. Barring a near-impossible comeback in LaLiga, the Catalan club will not win any trophies this year. However, the 2022/23 LaLiga champions have seen some positive signs in this rebuild from financial struggle.

Barcelona executives have not backed down from their desire to keep Xavi in the fold. Following his announcement of departure in January, Barcelona quickly turned its form around. Eight wins and two draws over its next 10 LaLiga games helped the side shore up its spot in the league. Barcelona was on the verge of reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time since the 2018/19 season. However, a red card in the first half of the second leg allowed PSG to rattle off three unanswered goals on the road. Barcelona fell on aggregate, and a stoppage-time loss at Real Madrid this past weekend compounded the recent misery.

However, those two losses may have inspired Xavi to stay as the manager of Barcelona. Spanish journalist noted that Xavi’s initial decision was impulsive. The uptick in form following Barcelona’s season-beginning struggles showed that the club can compete for success. Joan Laporta insisted that Xavi stay on with the club to continue the youth development, which has been key for the side.

That is the biggest success out of Xavi staying on for Barcelona. The club may not be one of the top sides of the world currently. Yet, that is more a product of the dire financial situation at Camp Nou, or rather the Estadi Olimpic, than it is the 44-year-old Xavi. The struggles of the club have afforded Barcelona the chance to evaluate young talents. That means players like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez and Hector Fort have been able to play regularly. It will pay in time, particularly with Xavi leading the way.

Xavi staying on board with Barcelona…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/xavi-elects-to-stay-at-barcelona-and-manage-in-2024-25/

Author : Kyle Fansler

Publish date : 2024-04-24 21:51:49

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