Joan Laporta: Ronald Koeman will stay as Xavi is not ready for Barcelona job | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with RAC1, Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Loporta admitted that he believes Xavi is not ready for the manager’s job at the club and that Ronald Koeman will remain as his coach if he’s elected on March 7.

“My relationship with Xavi continues to be very good,” Laporta explained. “We call each other often, beyond the fact it may seem he’s part of another campaign because I have seen that’s been denied.

“In my proposal, I think that in the short, medium or long-term he can be the Barça coach because he wants to be. (But) he needs a little more preparation. The club requires experience. It’s the same as we did with Rijkaard, who laid the foundations, and Guardiola, who brought excellence.

“First of all, we have to respect Koeman, who has a contract. He’s a Barcelona great and deserves all our respect, although results and performances count. The current situation requires experience.”

Laporta, who was Barça chief for seven years between 2003 and 2010, feels that it’s still too soon for Xavi, who is closely linked to Victor Font’s campaign.