On Saturday, Xavi Hernández refuted several allegations in Spanish media that the Barcelona management is thinking of sacking the coach for his statement that the team’s dire financial situation will make it difficult for it to compete with Real Madrid.
“I’ve received word from the club that I should maintain my composure and carry on working with the same zeal and dedication. “At a pregame press conference, Xavi stated that nothing had changed.
Nearly all of the inquiries he fielded concerned the conjecture in the sports press of Spain that club president Joan Laporta was miffed with Xavi for stating earlier in the week that “the situation is very difficult, above all on the economic level, for us to compete with our top rivals, whether it be Real Madrid or teams in Europe.”
According to media sources, Laporta is considering Xavi’s replacement for the summer. On Saturday, Xavi emphasized that he hadn’t received any such word from the team.
Where that knowledge is coming from doesn’t matter to me; I don’t know. Deco, our sports director, and the president both support me,” declared the former Barcelona player.
Regarding the rumors, neither Laporta nor the club have released any statements in the media. When questioned about them by The Associated Press, the club claimed it had nothing to say. Barcelona has an unpleasant scenario even if they decide to retain Xavi on, as the coach had only three weeks before reversed a January decision to depart the team this summer. Xavi stated in April that he had reconsidered when his players shown to him their belief in the team’s potential and their better play.
