.png)
7 months ago
44 ARTICLE AD
As Barcelona get set to take on Rayo Vallecano in their penultimate game of the season, all the chatter leading up to the game has been around the future of manager Xavi Hernandez.
The 44-year-old is once again being heavily linked with an exit as Joan Laporta allegedly was angered by some of the head coach’s comments before the match against Almeria.
As such, it was a major topic of discussion in the manager’s press conference today, and Xavi addressed the speculations head on, saying that he remains committed to Barcelona despite the rumours.
Xavi on his future
“The club reassures me and gives me hope and we continue with the same ambition. I understand all the noise, but it doesn’t change anything,” he said.
About the speculations, he added: “I am not interested. I receive information, but I am interested in having the confidence of the president and Deco, which is still intact. Nothing has changed. I understand that the media have to publish anything, but for me nothing has changed.”
Amid talks of a meeting scheduled with Laporta in the coming days to decide on his continuity, Xavi said:
“We will sit down. If there is something to talk about, we will talk about it. It’s been three weeks since we sat here to announce that it was still going on. Absolutely nothing changes. If there is any change, we will say so. I’m calm and looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
Further reaffirming his belief in the squad, he said: “I can’t give you any more information. We want to win and compete and secure second place. I have zero doubts that things can go well.
“I have an extraordinary core of players in the squad, with people from La Masia who have consolidated their position. I’m still eager and excited. Barça is the club of my life.”
On whether he deserves this kind of noise and treatment, the manager stated: “I’m focused on tomorrow’s game. I’m not focused on whether I deserve it or not. These things tend to happen.”
Xavi insists nothing has changed with his future. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)Whether he had a message for the players amidst all this commotion, Xavi replied: “I’ve told them that I’m proud to be at Barça. We are focused on tomorrow’s game.”
Delivering a message to the fans as well, the Barcelona head coach added: “We have to try to make sure that the fans enjoy themselves. That the fans are with us. The message is one of gratitude.”
Discussing his statements from the pre-match presser before the Almeria clash and the speculations it has sparked, Xavi added:
“I am answering things that come out in the media. The president didn’t tell me that. He has told me that it is very important to win to secure second place.”
Xavi also added that he is confident about turning things around at Barcelona, saying:
“I am happy because I am at the best club in the world. Criticism makes me improve. It doesn’t change anything. I want to show that we can continue to be competitive. This year hasn’t been good for us, but I’m convinced that things can work out well.”
Answering a rare question about tomorrow’s match against Rayo Vallecano, Xavi replied:
“It’s a great opportunity to secure qualification for the Super Cup. It’s a very important game and we want to win it first time out”.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
