Barcelona director hints at shock Xavi U-turn plan

Outspoken Barcelona sporting director Deco hasn't ruled out the club trying to persuade Xavi to remain in charge next season, despite announcing his intention to step down in summer.

Xavi delivered Barcelona's first La Liga title in four years last season but has since described being head coach is a «cruel» and «unpleasant» experience, as well as admitting he feels underappreciated.

The Camp Nou legend had only agreed a one-year contract extension in late September, which made his January decision to walk away all the more surprising when it happened.

Barca have been linked with an array of realistic and unrealistic replacements, including Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Hansi Flick, Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi. Yet Deco isn't against the idea of Xavi continuing if he can be convinced, although it isn't something that is on the table right now.

«If something changes, I will not say that we cannot raise it,» he told when asked if Xavi could stay. «We have nothing against Xavi. It is not a decision that the club or the sports management has made. At the moment, that possibility does not exist. If it happens, we will discuss it.»

Deco did additionally confirm that a search for a successor hasn't actually started.

«When I say we are not talking about the [next] coach, it means we are not talking about the coach. We have not made any decision because I consider that it is early and there are many things ahead.»

report that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has «informally, but also sincerely and with determination» suggested to Xavi it would be helpful to the club if he were to at least see out his contract until the end of next season. He is said to have done so more than once. Sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste is also