A challenging panorama
The situation at Barça is extremely complicated to explain. It has become a true Great Circus and stability is not exactly one of the most outstanding virtues in this mandate of Joan Laporta. The club continues to suffer serious financial problems despite the efforts and the arrival of great footballers to Barcelona, who have not managed to meet the expected expectations.
The main problem: the coach
FC Barcelona’s main problem has been its coach. In a period of 112 days, Xavi Hernández has gone through different stages, from saying ‘I’m leaving’ to ‘I’ll stay’, and finally ‘you can go’. Laporta seemed to be clear that Xavi was the right one to continue with the project, but the coach’s statements in the press conference prior to the match against Almería were not well received by the board.
A new twist in Xavi’s continuity
Xavi’s statements about the club’s financial problems and the limited ability to compete with Real Madrid have generated discomfort in the sports management. This has led to speculation about the possibility that, despite all the circus surrounding his continuity, Xavi will not continue as coach of FC Barcelona. According to Sport, a meeting will be held at the end of the season to make a decision that could turn 180 degrees and bring a new coach to the club’s bench.
The economic implications of firing Xavi
At the beginning of the season, Laporta renewed Xavi’s contract until June 2025, with an increase in his and his coaching staff’s emoluments. However, if Laporta decides to do without Xavi, the club will have to assume the one-year contract they have signed, in addition to other concepts that would raise the total figure to 18 million euros. A considerable sum for a club that cannot afford to waste money.
