Deco - Xavi could stay as Barcelona head coach

Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has indicated that the possibility of Xavi remaining as head coach of the Catalan giants beyond the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign is open.

After a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in La Liga at the end of January, Xavi announced his intention to step down as Barcelona manager this summer.

Following Xavi's announcement, the team's performance has been commendable, winning four and drawing two of their six matches across all competitions. Speculation has since arisen that Xavi may reconsider his decision.

Following the team's 4-0 victory over Getafe in their most recent league outing, the club's renowned former midfielder reaffirmed his initial choice to leave, deeming it "the correct call."

However, Deco has expressed that both he and club president Joan Laporta are keen for Xavi to continue as head coach, especially given the team's ongoing pursuit of silverware in two competitions this season.

Barcelona currently sit in third place in the La Liga standings, trailing leaders Real Madrid by eight points. In addition, they played to a 1-1 draw against Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League encounter.

"I would not like Xavi to leave, we renewed for him because we believed in the long-term project. But he has said personal things and he has his reasons. I have the same opinion as the president, I would like Xavi to stay," Deco told Catalunya Radio.

"Xavi's decision was his, and if he changes, it has to come from him. If we win the Champions League, we don't rule out talking to him, we will consider it."

"We are not talking about the profile of the new coach, because we are not looking for one yet. The season is not over," the club's sporting director added.

"We have to try to win titles but also build a team. This team still has a cycle, there are a lot of young players. There are some people who have given up on the season.

"We live more in the present, it's not that we are not planning, but we need to know the economic conditions, what the players think.... It's not that easy."

According to Sport, Barcelona president Laporta has made 'informal approaches' to Xavi in the hope of convincing the club legend to see out his contract, which expires in 2025.

The report claims that the club are finding it difficult to identify the right successor, and Xavi has now been asked to stay on as manager for at least one more season.