Real Madrid boss Ancelotti provides his take on Xavi staying at Barcelona | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was on Thursday asked for his take on the decision of Barcelona counterpart Xavi to go back on his decision to step down upon the season’s close.

The headline news across the Spanish football landscape across the day to date has of course come in the form of Xavi’s continuity on the Barcelona bench.

After a sit-down meeting with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, the former midfielder has been convinced of the merits of seeing out the final year of his contract in Catalunya’s capital.

This, in turn, means that the aforementioned Ancelotti can look forward to at least one more season of pitting his managerial talents against those of Xavi, on the touchline in El Clásico.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when Real Madrid’s boss was drawn on the latest news stemming from Barcelona.

And, fresh off all but sealing the Spanish top-flight crown courtesy of a victory over Xavi’s Blaugrana just last weekend, Ancelotti went on to throw his backing behind his counterpart:

“I think Xavi has done a good job at Barca. It seems to me to be the correct decision to stay. We have to respect that people can change their opinion. It’s not in writing. How many times have I changed opinion in my career? It’s allowed.”

Conor Laird | GSFN