Barcelona head coach Xavi refused to comment on suggestions that Luis Enrique could replace him as manager of the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Xavi announced at the end of January that he would be standing down from his role this summer, and the club's legendary midfielder recently insisted that is still his plan despite rumours of a possible stay.
Enrique, who is in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, has been linked with a return to Barcelona, and the 53-year-old is said to be open to a move back to Camp Nou this summer.
The Spaniard managed the Catalan outfit between 2014 and 2017, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League during a successful spell at the helm.
Xavi was asked about the possible return of Enrique during his press conference to preview Friday's La Liga clash with Mallorca, but the 44-year-old refused to engage in the speculation.
© Reuters
"I won't talk about coaches, we have a lot at stake this season. Tomorrow we play Mallorca, who are in the cup final. This is not the time to talk about the future, neither about coaches nor signings," Xavi told reporters.
"Tomorrow we will probably make some changes compared to the other day. We have to think about the players, not because Tuesday is a Champions League game.
"We are thinking about fatigue, the accumulation of minutes... not because Tuesday is an important game."
Xavi also insisted that his side can still win the La Liga title this season, with the reigning champions currently third in the table, eight points behind the leaders Real Madrid.
"We still have a chance and we believe we can win La Liga. We are not throwing in the towel and we will try until mathematically the numbers say we can't," he added.
© Reuters
"We are motivated despite being aware that against Athletic [Bilbao] we missed an opportunity. But tomorrow we also have the chance to put the pressure on.
"They (Mallorca) are having a great season, especially in the cup. [Javier] Aguirre works very well with his teams, they are doing very well with that line of five. They are very solid, tough and know what they are playing for. Difficult opponent.
"Barca always put pressure on you. You can imagine the maximum pressure that you've experienced in your life, because that's what it's like to coach Barca on a daily basis.
"The other day [Carlo] Ancelotti (Real Madrid manager) said that he doesn't enjoy it, that he suffers, so that's what I said a few months ago. You don't enjoy it much and you suffer a lot. It's normal, it's Barca."
Barcelona will switch their attention to the Champions League after the clash with Mallorca, preparing to welcome Napoli for the second leg of their last-16 tie next week, with the two teams level at 1-1 following the first leg in Italy on February 21.
Matt Law
