Xavi recently shocked the football world when he announced his decision to resign as Barcelona manager at the end of the current season.
This decision came to light after a humbling 5-3 defeat at home to Villarreal. The Catalan legend made a sensational return to his boyhood club as the manager in 2021 after a 3-year spell at Al Sadd SC in Qatar. He hit the ground running, taking Barcelona from the 9th position to runners-up. He then won the league with an aging side in the following campaign, leading to a contract extension agreed upon by the manager and the club until 2025.
However, things have been a lot tenser this season for the Catalan giants. After a disappointing start to the season and the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the side finds itself in 3rd place and well adrift of the summit of the La Liga table, trailing Real Madrid by 8 points.
Speaking to La Vanguarda, Deco mentioned that the club is still shocked by Xavi’s sudden decision and that they are yet to speak to other managers about replacing Xavi, despite several managers being linked with Barcelona since the announcement.
“We are still surprised by Xavi’s decision. We were planning for a future with him,” said Deco. “We haven’t spoken to any other managers yet.”
The Barcelona director also added that they will try to sign both of their Portuguese loanees, Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo, though it will depend on “many factors.”
