Xavi staying? Barcelona's stance revealed!

The former Barcelona great took over the club at a very dark phase of its existence and anchored a turnaround that eventually saw the club win La Liga last season. 

But since then, things haven't been smooth, with the club faltering in the league to stay consistent. However, those with Barcelona tickets for the Champions League would not agree, as the club is now in a Champions League quarterfinal for the first time since Messi's departure. 

While the word was out for a replacement for Xavi, it looks like the club is open to continuing with the existing manager. 

According to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources, Barca has paused the search for a new coach.

Xavi Announcement

Xavi announced that he would step down from his role in late January at the start of a press conference after the club lost 5-3 to Villareal in the Montjuic Stadium.

A management change should happen on the 30th of June, and clubs usually have their replacements finalized by then. 

But Barcelona still needs to find a possible suitor. The FC Barcelona manager is one of the most respected jobs in European football. 

Several candidates were rumored to take the place, including Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and a probably out-of-reach Robert De Zerbi, thanks to his unaffordable release clause at Brighton.

Media reports from Barcelona earlier reported that there was a deadline to appoint a successor by March and that Barcelona would fold for one of the potential suitors. 

But a lot has happened since. 

Since then, Barca has qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2020.

And though it will meet an outfit that Xavi described as "one of the worst teams" it could be drawn against in Paris Saint-Germain, there is an increased sense of