- The Spanish giants are keen for Xavi to reverse his decision to leave
- Xavi announced in January that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season
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Barcelona’s desperation to extend Xavi’s stay beyond the end of the season has increased again as the club’s vice-president made a plea for the head coach to remain at Camp Nou.
Xavi shocked Barcelona and the rest of European football when he announced he was leaving his managerial position at the end of January following a 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal.
The 44-year-old has enjoyed an upturn in results since then, with Barcelona now sitting second in the LaLiga standings, just five points behind leaders Real Madrid, as well as securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Xavi enjoys club legend status at Barcelona after a stunning playing career ended with eight LaLiga and four Champions League titles, along with other major honors for both club and country.
The Spaniard has so far refused to back down on his departure policy despite pleas from the club’s board and vice-president Rafa Yuste, who are determined to enforce a U-turn decision.
Barcelona desperately want Xavi to reverse his decision to leave the club at the end of the season
Barcelona’s vice-president Rafa Yuste (left) admitted he is trying to convince Xavi to stay
Barcelona have enjoyed an upturn in form since Xavi announced his decision in January
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Yuste is one of Xavi’s biggest supporters within Barcelona’s borders and explained that he – along with others – is ‘trying to convince Xavi to continue’.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Las Palmas, Yuste said: ‘Xavi knows what we want. It’s his personal decision, what I’m going to do as best I can is try to convince him to continue.
“I think we have to let him enjoy it, there is still a long way to go in La Liga and also in the Champions League, but he is a coach who comes from La Masia and I hope and wish that he continues.
He added: “We are thinking of a long-term project under his leadership and we have a team that will do great things in the future. We’re not talking about one or two seasons.’
Barcelona’s attempts to convince Xavi to stay at the club have so far failed, with the former player remaining adamant he will leave no matter what happens between now and the end of the season.
Xavi has so far remained adamant that he will leave whatever happens between now and the end of the season.
Xavi announced at the time of his decision that he would leave even if Barcelona defied expectations by winning the Champions League this season.
He successfully led the Catalan club to the Spanish top-flight title last year, but cited the ‘cruel’ nature of managing the club as one of the reasons for wanting to leave.
Previously explaining his decision, Xavi said in January: ‘The feeling of being a coach of Barça is cruel, unpleasant and unpleasant.
“There is a lot of disrespect and it affects you until it leads to a decision like this.”