Laporta unhappy with Xavi's decision as he hints at possible U-turn

Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has not given up hope of forcing Xavi Hernandez into a rethink over his future as head coach.

The World Cup winning midfielder announced in January his intention to step away at the end of the season.

Speaking 24 hours after Jurgen Klopp’s bombshell decision to depart Liverpool in the summer, Xavi said: “I’ve been a man of the club. I’ve prioritised it above even myself. I’ve given everything I have. From a mental health level, it’s tough … the battery levels keep running out.”

But Laporta believes there remains a chance Xavi could reverse his decision and remain with the Catalan giants. “Yes, absolutely. He already knows. I’d like him to stay,” the mirror.co.uk/all-about/fc-barcelona> Barcelona president told Mundo Deportivo.

“He keeps saying he’ll leave in June, but we’ll see. We don’t want to put this pressure on ourselves to make a decision for ourselves because the way things are going is working for us now.”

Barca will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals next month. But they are eight points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with nine games to play.

And if a change in the dugout is required this summer, Laporta says Xavi’s replacement must fit into the wider system at the club.

“Any manager who comes will need to adapt to our structure,” Laporta added. “Barca is above managers, players, presidents or executives. Everyone. We have created a successful model and the manager will need to adapt.

“Whoever might come, will need to wait until the end of the season because we are not touching anything until Xavi makes his final decision.”

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