A three-minute speech was enough for Xavi to convince president Joan Laporta that he should continue leading the Blaugrana bench in a meeting that, although scheduled for Friday, was brought forward to Wednesday afternoon at the president’s house to avoid more gossip and convey an image of long-awaited institutional and sporting stability. In that speech Xavi was strong, emotional, praising the young people. And willing to continue. Just what President Laporta wanted to hear.
Previously, Xavi had already communicated his decision to Deco in a meeting they had in the sports city. They talk regularly. But it was already necessary to address the great topic. The club, without economic margin and without convincing alternatives, has waited for him until the end. Now, if Xavi does not continue, it will be because the club decides. There will be no more doubts on the part of the coach.
So Deco informed Laporta that, after concluding the board of directors meeting in which Xavi’s future was not voted on, he went home with Rafa Yuste, sports vice president. “Well, it’s clear that he comes,” Laporta told Deco. The president’s call caught Xavi in ??the car, driving to his house. He changed course. And he met at the presidential home with Yuste, Deco and Alejandro Echevarría, Laporta’s right-hand man. The same ones who on the night of January 27 accepted his delayed resignation after the defeat against Villarreal. A formula endorsed only because it was him. Xavi Hernandez. An idol of Barcelona fans. With the decision already made and communicated, Laporta called the person in charge of his cabinet, Manana Giorgadze, who summoned Masip, Joan Soler and Bojan Krkic. And along the way they called the Parco restaurant to order Japanese food.
Offering an institutional message was valued. But the script twist required more answers. So a joint press conference was called in the sports city. The expectation was maximum. 76 accredited professionals. The entire senior staff of the board of directors present. On the stand, the two main protagonists: the president and the coach. The last to enter. They did it smiling. Quiet. At least, on the outside. There were moments even for Laporta’s emotion, sensitive to any Barcelona gesture. And, of course, they demonstrated by shaking hands with Deco, sports director, that Xavi’s continuity until 2025 is firm in a club led by emotions in search of constant stability. Ambition, enthusiasm and strength. Optimism to recover the possibility of signing under the 1-1 rule. They were the most repeated words.
The institutional vice president, Elena Fort, and the director Miquel Camps were the first to appear. Then the advisor Enric Masip, the manager responsible for grassroots football and member of the sports commission, Joan Soler and Bojan Krkic, grassroots football coordinator, arrived. But there was one happy man above all of them: the sports vice president Rafa Yuste, a great supporter of Xavi and a key figure in convincing the coach and the president that the Barcelona project should continue with both of them in the same boat. Everyone applauded the words of the president in the press room, with a 12-minute speech to ratify his decision and a memory for Tito Vilanova. Also Xavi Puig, responsible for the women’s team, Josep Cubells, for basketball, and the manager Àngel Riudalbas. Nobody missed it.
Xavi’s initial speech lasted two minutes. Much less than the president’s. He was accompanied by the people who have always supported him and who have insisted that he reconsider his decision. They are his brother and second coach, Òscar Hernández, Sergio Alegre, third assistant, and his agent, Fernando Solanas. Xavi had a grateful speech. Especially for the fans who have asked him to stay. Even a child on Wednesday night left him a message on the windshield of the car: “Xavi stay,” the text read.
The final decision has not been easy. But Xavi considers that the project is not over, especially seeing that the players, especially the younger ones, have asked him to continue. In the eyes of the coach, the squad completed one of the best training sessions of the season this morning after listening to his explanations and those of Laporta, who also stayed to watch the session. “And it is not a matter of ego or money,” the coach wanted to insist. He seemed especially hurt with the financial issue, insisting that he was going to forgive his year of contract if he did not continue as he had already said publicly. He supported Laporta, willing to show an image of unity. Insisting that he waited for him. That he did not seek relief from either Hansi Flick or Rafa Márquez. The image was that of a president who does not want to leave his coach alone. The unity that Xavi always asked for, at least within the club. The environment already knows that it will not change and that Barcelona fans are and will always be an emotional bomb. If the ball goes in, everything will be fine. Inside and outside the club. Otherwise, the criticism will continue. “But now I see myself with strength and energy,” he insisted.
Project, stability and mutual trust. Those were the words. And there will be changes. But not in its strong core. They were never considered. They will be in the physical preparation department. More applause to finish and a final photograph, this time, with the entire sports team. From left to right: Joan Soler, Sergio Alegre, Òscar Hernández. Xavi, Joan Laporta, Enric Masip, Rafa Yuste, Deco and Bojan Krkic. More hugs. End.
