Hand shakes between Joan Laporta, Deco and Xavi Hernández: the symbol of the agreement between Barça's president, sporting director and head coach was on show at the start of this Thursday's press conference of explanations and reasoning for the surprise decision announced yesterday: that Xavi, having announced in January that he was leaving FC Barcelona, was now staying. After a moment for the memory of Tito Vilanova - former Barça coach who died of cancer exactly 10 years ago today - the two major protagonists, Laporta and Xavi, sat before the microphones.
Joan Laporta commits to Xavi Hernández's "winning project"
Laporta began by confirming the news: "I am pleased to inform you that Xavi is continuing as Barça's first team coach." But the interest today was in the 'why', and the president added that "Xavi conveyed to me the enthusiasm he has for the project, the confidence in the team, the ambition and that he has to keep winning." He also explained that "adjustments will be made to improve", although he specified that this will not be within the technical staff.
But the key to everything was that "Barça needs stability", and that in a certain sense he also recalled presidential decisions of his first period in the presidency role, such as his trust in the continuity of coaches Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola. And the Barcelona president reaffirmed that "stability is a very important value in successful projects".
Likewise, Laporta explained that "Xavi is an indisputable barcelonista", in addition to saying that "it is very good news that Xavi is continuing". The leader of the culer entity stated that the board of directors supported the decision "unanimously" because, ultimately, "Xavi is a reference figure". Above all, importance was attributed to the insistence of the sporting vice-president, Rafa Yuste, who has always shown commitment to the figure of Xavi Hernández.
Joan Laporta, showing some visible excitement once again and also shed a few tears, acknowledging that "we are convinced that it is a project that will be even more successful". And he ended by saying that "it wasn't a matter of money, but institutional and sporting" factors. And the "hope that Xavi would reconsider" was, in the end, effective.
Xavi Hernández, still excited about the project
Xavi Hernández, seated alongside Laporta, confirmed the deep barcelonisme that everyone knows about: "I always try to do the best for the club". And that is why he acknowledged that despite announcing his departure and putting his job at the disposition of the club, he ended up changing his mind: "Correcting one's mistakes is what a wise man does".
Why did he change his decision? "I saw a great deal of confidence on the part of the president, the board of directors, Deco, Bojan...", Xavi Hernández said, more relaxed and laughing than usual. Another weighty argument was "the complicity and support of the footballers, who have made me see that the project must continue".
Despite acknowledging that "this season we will almost certainly not win a title", Xavi is focusing on the stability of a "project under construction" which "has not been finished yet". A "winning project", with which "we are very close to achieving great success".
And although he acknowledged that "it was not a simple decision", he does believe that "circumstances have changed and I think it is the best for the club". Acknowledging that he will not ask for a single euro more than what is due to him, he ends by affirming forcefully that "I continue with the utmost enthusiasm". And that what it's about from now on is to continue "fighting for the titles".
Thus, the Terrassa coach will manage the team from the bench for the 2024-2025 season, as he has signed in his contract. It will be another thing if things don't go well and he ends up packing his bags early.