Xavi opens up on life as Barcelona manager: “Would stay for the rest of my life”

With Barcelona not involved in midweek fixtures this week, manager Xavi Hernandez appeared at a public event in his native of Terrassa, participating in a round table that served to inaugurate the ‘Casa de l’Esport’.

During the appearance, the 43-year-old tactician spoke to the media and discussed his tenure as the manager of Barcelona as well as addressed the talks surrounding his contract extension at Spotify Camp Nou, excerpts from which are as below.

On Barcelona signing players in the summer: “Barça always has to reinforce the team. Whether we like it or not, this is about performance and at Barça, everything has to be excellent. We are in a difficult economic situation to manage, we depend on fair play, but we will strengthen for sure.”

On what it means to be the Barcelona manager: “This is Barça. I’ve said it many times before. The bar we set with Guardiola’s Barça was very high. It’s the most difficult club in the world. It’s not enough to win here. You have to convince and be superior. And, nowadays, this is very difficult. In any category.

“It is difficult to convince people. Being a sportsman is hard and demanding, but I am privileged. I do what I like and I have no financial problems. I’m very lucky.”

On the ups and downs as a Barça manager: “I would stay at Barça for the rest of my life. It’s my home. I depend on results. I am constantly criticised. It’s hard, I have a family and young children. There are many moments when it doesn’t pay to be a Barça coach. And even more so if you’re a culé like me. Some of the worst days of my life came when I was a Barça coach.”

On the criticism he faces: “It’s very hard when they tell you that you’re no good or that you have no personality. Sometimes you don’t hear the criticism and you get a call from a friend telling you that they are killing you in the media.”

On sticking with the Barcelona DNA: “If anyone has represented Barça’s style it has been me, I was never a fast player with a lot of physicality. I want my team to have the ball. If we don’t have it, we suffer.”

On the defensive approach against Real Madrid: “We want to have the ball. But football is not a theatrical play, there is another team playing against you. Madrid did well, they had the ball. How do you take the ball away from Modric or Kroos? Like why do they say I was against Barça DNA? I would never betray my style.”

“You have a game plan, but you have to adapt. Defending is a part of football. You have to adapt to the circumstances. Against Madrid we had prepared to have the ball and long possessions. Then you have to adapt. It’s one of the parts of football.”

On the team’s current position in La Liga: “Before the start of the season, we all would have liked to be nine points ahead in La Liga in March…”

On what needs to improve: “We have to be more competitive in Europe. It has been the test that has told us that we are still not completely well.”

On his passion for football: “I’m constantly watching matches. I watch our games three or four times. It’s something I enjoy. I’m constantly watching matches. I really like football. Sometimes I’ve had players ask me if the opponent is left or right footed because they don’t like watching football…”

On his contract renewal: “Laporta’s words took me by surprise. He is my friend. Barça is lucky to have a president like him. He’s very reliable… But first the titles and then the renewal. It’s not about money or years of contract, it’s about wanting the club to do well.”

“The day I feel I don’t convince the players, I will go home… I will leave.”

“As for my renewal, I don’t want money, I don’t care about the years of my contract. I want results. I want to win. I care a lot about Barça and I want it to succeed.”

On life as a manager: “In many cases, I have asked myself whether being a Barça coach compensates for the pressure I am under. I don’t need anything financially… but I’m a Culé and I want to help the club.

“I work every day. Twenty-four hours. As Pep used to say, when you’re a coach you’re aware of 200 things. Managing a team is not easy. I enjoy 75 per cent of my work, but the other 25 per cent is very hard. You enjoy it when the players understand what you are conveying to them. That is very enjoyable.”

On his staff: “Loyalty and fidelity are essential. All my staff are friends. The best thing I have is my staff.”

Source: SPORT