Report: Barcelona demand change in Xavi’s main attitude problem next season

As Joan Laporta stated yesterday, there was not much doubt between Xavi and the administration that the manager’s continuity was the best way forward for the club.

The long meeting between the two parties, however, focused on bridging the gaps between the manager and the administration and mutual expression of the expectations they had from each other.

While Xavi may have asked for guarantees of economic stability and a few big signings in the summer, it appears that members of the board also had their demands from the manager ahead of the new season.

Discipline will be key

As revealed by TV3 (h/t Actualite Barça), there are members on the board who demand changes in Xavi’s attitude on the sidelines. They believe that the excessive red cards he is shown give the club a bad reputation.

From the manager’s perspective, it is often difficult to stay cool when decisions repeatedly go against your team as they have this season.

Yet, a manager’s first quality must be his high level of patience and Xavi has shown on multiple occasions that he lacks on that front.

The latest example of the same came in the team’s defeat to PSG in Catalonia after Ronald Araujo’s sending-off.

Xavi has been sent off three times this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

When the team needed him the most to guide them through a difficult 60 minutes, Xavi allowed his emotions to get the better of him and had himself sent off, a decision which showed his immaturity and did not help any party involved.

Changes expected

While Xavi’s staff for the new season will remain largely unchanged, a few new additions are expected to help the team in departments they lack.

As revealed yesterday, Julio Tous, a specialist in strength training and injury prevention, has been chosen to join Xavi’s team to help with the team’s recurring injuries.

Having experience from his days at Juventus, Chelsea and the Italian national team, Tous is well-versed in maintaining players’ physical preparation.

Further, word has it that Joan Laporta has contacted renowned physiotherapist Raul Martinez to join the team for next season.

Notably, he was part of the medical staff of the Spanish national team in their 2010 World Cup winning run.