Barcelona president had no intention of sacking Xavi

Barcelona President Joan Laporta revealed that he had no intention of dismissing Xavi during the ongoing season.

"In the first half of the season, Xavi guided Barcelona to the Champions League playoffs, and in the previous season, he won La Liga. But now, when we all thought we strengthened, everything went wrong. I never considered his dismissal and agreed that he would finish the season, leaving only because it's Xavi.

Xavi told me that it would be better for him to leave. He announced his departure and declined the remaining year of his contract. Xavi said it with such confidence that I had to listen."

As a reminder, after the defeat to Villarreal (3:5), Xavi announced that he would leave the club in June of this year. Among the candidates for his replacement are mentioned Hansi Flick, Roberto De Zerbi, Jurgen Klopp, Rafa Marquez, Imanol Alguacil, and Sergio Conceicao.

After 22 rounds, Barcelona occupies the fourth position in La Liga with 47 points.