Xavi Set to Meet Laporta, Contemplating Continued Stay at Barcelona

Xavi may be leaning towards remaining as Barcelona's coach for the next season. This marks a significant departure from January when he initially announced his intention to step down at the season's end. Now, he's seriously reconsidering the possibility of reversing his decision.

In fact, he has taken the initial steps towards staying and honoring his contract, which runs until June 2025. Agreeing to meet with the president to discuss the matter is a substantial move towards his potential continuation.

This potential decision is supported by both Joan Laporta and Deco, who see retaining Xavi as the best option for the club at the moment.

• Girona vs Barcelona Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 05/04/2024
• Barcelona vs Valencia Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 04/29/2024

External options for coaching are limited, as the primary candidates are unavailable for various reasons. Some may not want to coach, while others have existing contracts that would require significant financial compensation to release them, which the club may not be willing to provide.

The reserve team coach

The alternative option is Rafa Marquez, who becomes the most probable choice if Xavi remains firm on his decision to leave. However, this choice comes with its own set of risks.

Marquez's work with the reserve team has been well-regarded by many, but transitioning to coaching the first team presents a different challenge altogether. Despite his positive work within the club's ranks, there are reservations about his readiness for the role.

Furthermore, there are concerns about Marquez's lack of significant support from the media, which is not as strong as Xavi's. This factor adds another layer of uncertainty to the potential decision to appoint him as the head coach.

The club is clear

In the upcoming meeting, Laporta and Deco will urge Xavi to reconsider his decision, assuring him of their full support. They will emphasize their commitment to providing him with the best possible team, although they acknowledge the constraints imposed by Financial Fair Play regulations.

Contrary to speculation in some media reports, Xavi does not plan to make demands regarding the transfer market. He understands the club's financial situation and is not seeking significant reinforcements.

Reinforcements

In recent transfer windows, Xavi has faced challenges in acquiring his desired players. Due to financial constraints, he has been limited to working with the resources available within the club without substantial expenditure in the market.

During the summer, the club made a modest investment in Oriol Romeu, spending less than four million euros, while other acquisitions were made through loans or free transfers. In the winter window, aside from Vitor Roque, they were unable to secure any additional signings.

Another difficult transfer window

Expectations for this summer's transfer window align with previous constraints due to Financial Fair Play issues, indicating that significant signings are unlikely. The club's ability to make notable acquisitions is further hindered by the absence of anticipated sponsorship income, which has yet to materialize.

Arda Guler Guides Real Madrid Closer to LaLiga Title with Determined Victory Over Real Sociedad

Real Madrid inched closer to their 36th Spanish league title with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, widening their lead in the standings to 14 points on Friday.