Barcelona

Xavi in discussions over new Barcelona contract

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 March 2023

Barcelona head coach Xavi reveals that he has held discussions with the club over a new contract, with his existing terms expiring in June 2024.

Barcelona boss Xavi has revealed that he has held discussions with the club over a new contract.

The 43-year-old's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire in June 2024, but the Catalan side's president Joan Laporta recently hinted at a potential new contract for the club legend.

"I have planned the renewal of Xavi even if we do not win La Liga," Laporta recently 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."

Barcelona coach Xavi on February 19, 2023 © Reuters

Xavi has now confirmed that discussions over an extension have started, but the head coach is currently focusing on delivering more silverware this season.

"We have talked, of course. We are very much in tune, but I always say the same thing: calm down and first we have to win titles," he told reporters ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

The Spaniard is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the history of football, starring for Barcelona between 1998 and 2015 before finishing his career with Al-Sadd.

Xavi then managed Al-Sadd between 2019 and 2021 before returning to Barcelona, and he has now taken charge of 75 matches for the club, boasting a record of 47 wins, 14 draws and 14 defeats.

The former midfielder won his first silverware as Barcelona head coach earlier this year, with the Catalan side beating Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona manager Xavi pictured in September 2022 © Reuters

Barcelona again failed to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League, while they were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United in the playoff round.

Xavi can still deliver two more trophies this season, though, with the team leading Real Madrid 1-0 in their Copa del Rey semi-final ahead of the second leg at the start of April.

Barcelona are also six points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table with a game in hand on Carlo Ancelotti's side, who beat Espanyol 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Blaugrana's absence from European football means that they have not been in action since recording a 1-0 win over Valencia in the league last weekend.

Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo will be missing against Athletic on Sunday night, but the Catalan outfit will be boosted by the return from injury of leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski.