Joan Laporta‘s treatment of Xavi has seen Barcelona fans turn on him in spectacular fashion.
The Barca head coach has faced fierce questioning over his future after multiple reports that Laporta has decided to sack him before the end of the season.
President Laporta was seen smiling alongside Xavi on April 24 after it was announced at a press conference that the manager would stay with the club next season after previously announcing his departure in January.
All looked well in Catalunya, until a story broke that Laporta had turned on the coach after his comments about Barcelona’s finances.
The impeccably well-sourced local newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed that Laporta had set his mind on sacking Xavi after the penultimate game of the season against Rayo Vallecano.
When that was put to Laporta pre-match, he maintained his silence as he entered Montjuïc, their temporary stadium for this season.
However, before kick-off in the 3-0 win for Barca, chants of “Xavi, yes, Laporta, no!” were heard from ultras in the north curve. Those songs were followed up with “Laporta resign!”
It has also been reported that the same songs were heard at Estadi Johan Cruyff for Barca B’s defeat to Gimnàstic de Tarragona.
On Xavi’s part, he has completely dismissed the story, saying he has the full backing of the president.
In his latest comments, Xavi said post-match: “Nothing has happened to me, I’m still working, I don’t have any information to give, we have worked on the Rayo game, seeking the goal of finishing second.
“I’m very well, honestly, I don’t know if I’m pouting (laughing), but I sleep well and I have a clear conscience, things haven’t worked out and now we want to be second and think now.”
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