Ernesto Valverde's fate seems to have been decided, and apparently, Barcelona's execs have given him the chance to choose when he will join the Blaugrana side for good.
According to a report by RAC1, later confirmed by As, the meeting between Eric Abidal, Oscar Grau and the former midfielder went on smoothly. The Blaugrana legend listened to what both execs had to say, and now it's up to him to decide if he will join the team this season or before the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
Sources close to the meeting told RAC1 that Xavi is the No.1 candidate to replace Valverde, who will not continue as Barcelona's boss next season regardless of all results. Either way, it is yet to be known if Xavi will leave Al-Sadd to coach his boyhood club.
The former midfielder seems inclined to start from scratch before the 2020-21 season takes place, paving the way for Valverde's "survival" until the end of the season. The same source reveals that Xavi's appointment is supported by none other than Lionel Messi, who wants to work with his friend one more time.
The main issue for Barcelona's bosses was to find out if Xavi would be available to work right away for the club, even if the team is still at the top of the league with half the games to be played. Regardless of what happens at the end of the season, it seems like Xavi's signing is Barcelona's top priority ahead of the next season. Only time will tell if he needs to execute a major overhaul to bring back "tiki-taka" to Camp Nou.
