The Catalan team’s resounding fall, its farewell to the Spanish King’s Cup in a four-way defeat to Bilbao, and its four-to-one loss to rival Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final still cast a shadow over Barcelona.
A Spanish press report revealed exciting details within the corridors of the Catalan club during the coming period.
Catalunya Radio confirmed that Laporta has become fully convinced that Xavi’s time in Barcelona is over and that the team will leave with him empty-handed this season, so Laporta is working to oust the Spanish coach and sign a replacement.
The radio explained that Laporta took a sudden decision to grant sporting director Deco greater powers over the daily work of the first team, hoping to force Xavi to resign.
The radio confirmed that this decision comes to tighten the pressure on Xavi, in addition to the strong strictness that Deco enjoys, as Laporta wants to control the players more.
This decision is a strong blow and a resounding shock to Xavi, who is considered to have no authority over the players, which may prompt him to submit his resignation soon.
Laporta is working in secret, according to what some Spanish newspapers confirmed, to communicate with Italian coach Antonio Conte to lead the Catalan team from the middle of the current season.
“Sport” newspaper confirmed that Laporta is trying with Conte to reduce his financial demands, believing that he is the only one capable of putting things back on track within the Catalan team.