Barcelona president will try to convince Xavi to stay after Real Madrid clash

Over the past couple of weeks, it has become quite clear that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is eager for Xavi Hernandez to remain the first-team manager.

The 44-year-old tactician announced in January that he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the season.

But since then, the Blaugrana have turned things around on the pitch in a fine manner, going unbeaten in ten matches.

It has led to the rumours of a managerial replacement going quiet as efforts are now being made to convince Xavi to stay.

Joan Laporta to meet Xavi soon

Now, SPORT reports that Xavi’s future at Barcelona could be decided in a matter of three weeks, with Joan Laporta planning to meet him to discuss the situation in April.

As per the update, Laporta and Xavi will meet sometime in April once the important fixtures – the two legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG (April 10 and April 16) and the Clasico against Real Madrid (April 21) – are out of the way.

The upcoming few weeks could end up being season-defining for Barça as wins against PSG would see them progress to the UCL semifinals – something that was not thought of at the start of the season.

Xavi plans to leave at the end of the season. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Furthermore, they are putting pressure on Real Madrid in the La Liga table and a win in the Clasico would set them up perfectly for a late dash at the title.

As such, the two parties have decided to focus on the key matches for now and once they are out of the way, Laporta will meet Xavi and try to convince him to stay on.

Xavi the best option according to Laporta

The report states that the Barcelona president continues to see Xavi as the best possible option to carry the team forward.

After all, the 44-year-old knows the club in and out and has done a solid job since taking over, and even though there have been some setbacks this season, the team is still competing for two trophies.

The options to replace him are not fully convincing either, and hence Laporta wants him to continue as long, provided the results are consistent between now and the end of the season.

There are some within Laporta’s entourage who are against the idea, but if Barcelona win against PSG, it could strengthen the case for him to continue.