FC Barcelona Will Offer Head Coach Xavi New Contract After El Clasico

FC Barcelona will offer their head coach Xavi Hernandez a contract renewal after Sunday’s edition of El Clasico against Real Madrid, reports claim.

President Joan Laporta revealed that he had “already thought about a renewal” last week when holding a press conference to mark two years since winning the election in March 2021.

“I think we should renew him because he has earned it,” Laporta said. “He knows the house. He knows Barca. He doesn’t ask us for crazy things [as per transfers]. He perfectly understands the situation of the club.”

On Saturday, however, in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Blaugrana’s 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, Xavi stressed that “now is not the time” to discuss a renewal as the “first thing” is to win trophies.

“I have one more year on my contract and we’ll find the time, but first are the objectives we have,” the legendary former midfielder added.

According to SPORT, however, Laporta and his board won’t wait until the end of the season and will already offer Xavi fresh terms following Sunday’s meeting with Madrid.

It is claimed that Barca plan to present Xavi with a proposal to extend his current deal by a year until June 2025. In the long run, though, Laporta wants Xavi to be in the dugout until the end of his mandate in June 2026.

Xavi could be interested in this, saying at the same pre-match press conference: “I hope I can stay here for many years, but this is Barca and it is very complicated.”

“Here what matters are the results, but I’m happy. There is a lot of suffering, but I would love to continue working to win trophies with this club,” he explained further.

What also increases the likelihood of Xavi staying on is his good relationship with Laporta.

“We talk a lot,” Xavi also said at the weekend. “He supports us and tells us that he is very happy with the work of all the coaching staff. I’m delighted to be able to continue working with him and, hopefully, the trophies will come.”

Xavi has already delivered the Spanish Super Cup this term, which came at the expense of Madrid thanks to a 3-1 win in the final in Riyadh.

On Sunday, the Catalans can practically tie up a first La Liga title since 2019 given that their nine-point lead can be extended to 12 with another triumph over their arch rivals.

Furthermore, a domestic treble is possible by sealing the Spanish top flight crown and going on to win the Copa del Rey after potentially knocking Los Blancos out at the semi-final stage.

After winning in Madrid, Barca boast a 1-0 advantage in the last four tie heading into the second leg at Camp Nou on April 5.