Barcelona’s desperation to extend Xavi’s stay past the end of the season has been ramped up again as the club’s vice-president made a plea for the head coach to stay at the Nou Camp.
Xavi shocked Barcelona and the rest of European football when he announced at the end of January following a 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal that he would be leaving his management position.
The 44-year-old has enjoyed an upturn in results ever since, with Barcelona now second in the LaLiga standings just five-points behind leaders Real Madrid and additionally securing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Xavi enjoys club legend status at Barcelona after a stunning playing career ended with eight LaLiga and four Champions League titles along with other major honours for both club and country.
The Spaniard has so far refused to back-track on his departure stance despite pleas from the club’s board and vice-president Rafa Yuste who are determined to force a U-turn decision.
Yuste is one of Xavi’s biggest supporters within the confines of Barcelona and explained he – along with others – is ‘trying to convince Xavi to continue’.
Speaking prior to Saturday’s 1-0 win over Las Palmas, Yuste said: “Xavi knows what we want. It’s his personal decision, what I’m going to do as far as I can is try to convince him to continue.
“I think we have to let him enjoy himself, there’s still a long way to go in La Liga and also the Champions League, but he’s a coach who comes from La Masia and I hope and wish that he continues.”
He further added: “We are thinking about a long-term project led by him and we have a team to do great things in the future. We’re not talking about one or two seasons.”
Barcelona’s attempts to convince Xavi to stay at the club have so far failed with the former player remaining adamant that he will be leaving no matter what happens between now and the end of the season.
Xavi announced at the time of making his decision that he would exit even if Barcelona went against the odds by wining the Champions League this season.
He successfully led the Catalan club to the Spanish top-flight title last year but cited the ‘cruel’ nature of managing the club as one reason for wanting to leave.
When previously explaining his decision, Xavi said in January: “The feeling of being a Barça coach is cruel, unpleasant and unpleasant one.
“There is a lot of disrespect and it affects you, until it leads to a decision like this one.”
