Barcelona boss Xavi has said that he would stay at Camp Nou 'for the rest of his life', with club president Joan Laporta confirming his intention to offer the manager a new contract.
The 43-year-old's current deal is due to June 2024, but Laporta has said that the club's legendary former midfielder will soon be offered a renewal.
"I have planned the renewal of Xavi even if we do not win La Liga," Laporta told reporters. "I have told him... I want to convey a message of tranquillity.
"I have already thought about the renewal. He took a gamble, he knows the club perfectly well and defends this genuine style of play that we have at Barcelona.
"He doesn't make us stretch our arm more than our sleeve. Talking about the concern about the club's economy, he doesn't ask for crazy things. He understands the club's situation."
© Reuters
Xavi has said that he is determined to remain at Barcelona but is currently focusing on the rest of the campaign, with the Spaniard looking to deliver the La Liga title and Copa del Rey trophy.
Barcelona have already won silverware this season, beating Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup.
The Catalan outfit hold a 1-0 advantage over Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final, while they are nine points ahead of Los Blancos at the top of the La Liga table.
"Laporta's words took me by surprise. He is my friend. Barca is lucky to have a president like him. He's very reliable... But first the titles and then the renewal. It's not about money or years of contract, it's about wanting the club to do well," Mundo Deportivo quotes Xavi as saying.
"The day I feel I don't convince the players, I will go home... I will leave. As for my renewal, I don't want money, I don't care about the years of my contract. I want results. I want to win. I care a lot about Barça and I want it to succeed.
© Reuters
"I would stay at Barca for the rest of my life. It's my home. I depend on results. I am constantly criticised. It's hard, I have a family and young children.
"There are many moments when it doesn't pay to be a Barca coach. And even more so if you're a cule like me. Some of the worst days of my life came when I was a Barca coach.
"In many cases, I have asked myself whether being a Barça coach compensates for the pressure I am under. I don't need anything financially... but I'm a Cule and I want to help the club.
"I work every day. Twenty-four hours. As Pep [Guardiola] used to say, when you're a coach you're aware of 200 things. Managing a team is not easy. I enjoy 75 per cent of my work, but the other 25 per cent is very hard. You enjoy it when the players understand what you are conveying to them. That is very enjoyable."
Xavi has been in charge of Barcelona since November 2021, boasting a record of 47 wins, 14 draws and 14 defeats from his 75 matches at the helm.
Matt Law
