It was ten at night when President Joan Laporta left the Montjuïc facilities in the same way he arrived: avoiding the television cameras of the media that were waiting for him outside. Inside the stadium he was seen with a very cold and symptoms of fever in one of the most complicated weeks since he took office on March 17, 2021 with the support of 30,184 of the 55,611 members who voted. Laporta reached the top of the club for the second time, after a first stage of seven years (2003-2010) marked, among other events, by great sporting successes or the alliance with Unicef.
A radically different context than the one you are experiencing now. On Sunday Laporta went to Montjuïc prepared in case the public sang any chants against him. And he listened to them, with the “Barça yes, Laporta no” that some members of the cheering crowd started. Obviously he didn’t like them. But he expected it. Sources around him point out that they were “inconclusive” expressions given the majority presence of tourists who took over the Blaugrana fiefdom for another day and who understood little or nothing. They also assure that, except for an always possible script twist, this does not change the president’s plans with Xavi and they emphasize that a few other partners whistled these chants. In total 35,823 spectators attended.
When the match ended and Xavi’s press conference in which the coach stated that he had no new news, Laporta met him. Official club sources assure that it was a brief meeting, that the president was not feeling well and that after congratulating him for having beaten Rayo Vallecano and, consequently, securing the league runners-up position, he informed him that they would talk when the season ended after the match against Sevilla on Sunday the 26th at 9 p.m. On the part of the coach’s entourage there was total secrecy. If there are no explanations, for Xavi everything remains the same.
With a club financially suffocated, unable to activate more levers and with a budget that expires on June 30 pending completion, the president will have to carefully consider his impulses. He confirmed Xavi on April 25 in a press conference where the words stability, project and confidence were uttered several times. 27 days later is the complete opposite. Encouraged by the environment that surrounds him, Laporta has changed his mind. Despite appreciating Xavi personally, he did not like Xavi’s realistic speech nor was he convinced by the team’s play.
If he maintains his decision to dismiss him, Laporta knows that dismissing the coach and his coaching staff would entail a cost that is close to 15 million euros. Half is Xavi’s salary. To this figure we must add the amount to hire the next coach and his coaching staff. I really like Hansi Flick. But his entourage, for the moment, has no news. Although he waits for them. Yes, there are voices from within the club that remember that, on his day, Xavi assured that he would not be a problem for Barcelona. So, in the event that there is a negotiation to dismiss him – Xavi will not resign twice – they hope that the coach will agree to give up the remaining year of his contract. So the club would only pay the salary to the members of its coaching staff.
After Laporta’s car, the manager Joan Soler also left after ten at night with a displeased expression, the former footballer Bojan Krkic, now a member of the sports commission, and the sports director Deco. The latter speaking on the phone. I say that he has been planning the next course with Xavi and until Friday he was oblivious to the president’s doubts. He is now calming the mood with players’ agents leading the planning and conveying a message of patience.
The locker room is experiencing this situation with confusion. Although they have tried to focus on the game, not knowing if Xavi will guide them next season affects them. To the youngest ones due to lack of experience. Also to those who count less for Xavi. There are questions and no one has answers. They do know what the president decides. Yesterday and today there is a day of rest. For them and for Xavi. Everyone needs to disconnect from this emotional tunnel that, today, is not an easy way out.
