Former Barcelona youth team manager comes to Xavi’s defence: “Football is thankless.”

Barcelona and Xavi are set to go their separate ways at the end of the campaign, as the Barcelona coach aired out the difficulties of managing a club where the external environment is exceptionally intensive.

Despite Barcelona’s domestic success last season, Barça’s form has fallen off a cliff, and Xavi has had difficulty dealing with the media’s chatter.

However, he continues to garner support from not only a large section of the fanbase; but also managerial acquaintances familiar with the challenges one encounters at the helm.

After Pep Guardiola recently acknowledged the intense media pressure in Catalonia, another former Barcelona manager, Garcia Pimienta, has come to Xavi’s defense.

Pimienta extends his support

The Las Palmas manager has been doing impressively well in La Liga this season, despite the limited resources at his disposal.

Extending his support to Xavi, he recently claimed in the press room, via AS, “Xavi is Barça; he feels a lot about the club.” 

Opposing the fickle nature of football fans and onlookers, he waxed lyrical about the former midfield maestro, stating:

“Football is thankless. He trained in Qatar and came to Barcelona at a difficult time, risking his future to help the club. He won the league, but football has no memory. He deserves the best.”

He added, “He is a great guy; I say it that clearly. We are friends. He deserves the best. For me, he was one of the best midfielders that Barça has ever had and the best in the history of Spain. in his position.”

While some may be led to believe that Pimienta no longer supports the club after controversially being sacked as the B team coach, he affirmed that he only wishes the best for the team, particularly hoping to see Xavi lift Barcelona titles.

“I have friends within his technical staff and in that locker room, and two speak well of him. He deserves all the luck in the world. I wish that Barça, with him, wins more titles,” he remarked.

When questioned about the possibility of a return down the line, he coyly claimed, “Life takes many turns.”

“Now I only think about the permanence of Las Palmas. “I don’t want to lose focus with anything, not even with a possible renewal,” he concluded.