IN SPORT.ES
Even Ernesto Valverde’s strongest defenders are giving up. Barcelona cannot continue like this and they need a revolution. Xavi is the chosen one.
The Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia was the detonator but not the main and unique reason for Valverde’s backers to lose faith in the current Barcelona coach. In fact, the alarm bells have been ringing at Camp Nou after the team’s terrible draw at Espanyol. The Barcelona board were already discussing a change and the team’s heavyweights too. They want a change. Bartomeu, for one, wanted Valverde to stay until the end of the season.
However defeat, and how they lost, against Atletico was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Barcelona are too inconsistent for a team that wants to be champions. It is impossible like this.
On Friday, things started to move. With Bartomeu’s approval, Oscar Grau (CEO) and Eric Abidal will travel from Saudi Arabia to Doha (Qatar) to meet with Xavi Hernandez.
They had a concrete offer for him: the rest of this season and two more. That’s to say, leading a sporting revolution.
The Barcelona legend is flattered and confused at once, with two contradictory desires in his head. On one hand, the honour of coming to Camp Nou through the front door as coach of the first team, his great dream. On other other, doubts over whether he’s ready to climb aboard this train in motion and guilt at leaving his current club Al-Sadd hanging.
In any case Xavi has asked Abidal and Grau hours to think it over because the response could change his whole life, sporting as well as personal. He will need to speak with his wife, his parents and his brothers and, of course, the chief of Al Sadd.
Barca have asked Xavi to give them a definitive response as soon as Sunday and if he says yes he could be presented on Monday. If he says no, they will find a new solution.
It could be that Valverde sees out the season waiting for Xavi. However that is not the plan. Valverde is very angry at how the last few hours have gone.