Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona success leads to contract renewal talk at the La Liga giants
- Rob Fleming
- 21 March 2023
Xavi Hernandez's tenure as manager of Barcelona has been a remarkable success, with the club sitting atop the La Liga table and on the verge of a spot in the Copa del Rey final.
The team has already won the Spanish Super Cup, and there are media reports now doing the rounds that the Barcelona administration is pleased with Xavi's direction and are considering renewing his contract.
Since taking over last season, Xavi has guided the team from a lowly ninth place in La Liga to second place, and now, to the top spot in the league with a commanding 12-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The team has grown through a combination of well-planned transfers and rigorous training, making them a formidable opponent against any team in the world.
According to a report from MARCA, the Barcelona administration is happy with the team's progress under Xavi and is discussing renewing his contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2024. The club reportedly wants to offer him an additional year, but the details of the renewal will only be discussed in June.
President Joan Laporta has confirmed, according to MARCA, that he intends to offer Xavi a new contract, praising the work he has done with the team. With the La Liga title almost in the bag, the administration's intentions have become even firmer.
One challenge in the renewal process will be Xavi's salary, which was low due to Financial Fair Play issues. The club cannot even register some players, including rising star Gavi, due to these problems. However, Laporta also intends to renew the contract of Director of Football Mateu Alemany, whose contract also ends in June 2024.
Xavi has made Barcelona a force to be reckoned with on the field, with a possession-based style of football that has been re-engineered to suit the modern game. While the team has faltered on occasion in Europe, they have beaten Real Madrid three times this season, demonstrating the effectiveness of Xavi's leadership.
