FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.01.2010 13:44

Xavi: “I think Guardiola’s renewal is imminent”

Roger Bogunyà

Quizzed by the media at this lunchtime’s press conference as to Guardiola’s future, Xavi insisted: “I can’t imagine Barca without Pep. He’s the fundamental element in this machine. I think his contract renewal is imminent, but it’s all down to him".

The Barca fans and family are clear: they want the six title winning manager to stay and renew his contract with the club. Xavi echoed the feeling, insisting: “we want him to stay, but that’s down to him. To him and the board. I think he’ll stay and that he’s happy here and feels important to the club. He seems happy at work and shows the same enthusiasm he had at the start. He’s maybe the best manager the club has ever had, and he’s only been here for a season”.

Smart and unselfish

Xavi also claimed: “Pep is very smart and I’m sure he’ll get it right because he’s always looking for wants best for the club and the squad. He’s not at all selfish and if he’s taking his time then it’s for a reason that only he knows”.

“Comfortable lead”

On the footballing front, Xavi tried to put the 5 point advantage over Madrid into context: “it’s five points and that gives us the confidence to keep working. It’s a comfortable lead, but we can’t relax and we’ll try and stretch the lead over Madrid and Valencia”.

Options in midfield

With Busquets injured and Toure at the African Nations Cup, Barca need to find a defensive partner for Xavi for the game in Valladolid, with Márquez, Chigrinskiy and Piqué all in the frame: “Rafa’s played there and done really well during the last few years, Dima (Chygrynskiy) is also very skilful and Gerard filled that role when he was at Zaragoza. We’ve also got Thiago and Jonathan – there’s plenty of options”.