Cesc Fabregas Not Surprised Xavi Hernandez Withdraws From Barcelona

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez. (X/@FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Former Barcelona midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, admitted that he was not surprised that Xavi Hernandez finally resigned as Barca coach.

"Xavi's decision to resign was not surprising. I've been in football for decades and I've seen a lot of things. I also know Xavi as a friend and player. But not when he was a coach," Fabregas told Radio Catalunya.

"He is a figure who is always happy and thinks positively. He also wants the best and is sure to win. He has confidence in what he does. I believe Barca need a figure like him," he said.

Fabregas saat ini menangani tim U-19 dan tim B Como, klub yang dimiliki perusahaan Indonesia, PT Djarum. Dia mengenal Xavi tidak hanya sebagai pemain. Mereka tembata dekat dan sama-sama berasal dari academia La Masia milik Barca.

If Xavi continues his career in Barca's senior team, Fabregas played at Arsenal. They returned together when Fabregas was recruited by Barca in 2011.

He played for three seasons and then left Barca in 2014. The following year it was Xavi's turn to leave after 17 years playing in the Blaugrana.

Xavi kemudian kembali ke Barca dengan status sebagai pelatih pada 2021. Dirinya sukses membawa tim melani Piala Super Spanyol atau Supercopa de Espana dan La Liga.

However, Barca's poor achievements this season forced Xavi to take office at the end of this season.

The pressure to train at Barca is indeed very high. The reason is, Barca is one of the three largest teams in the world. Xavi was unable to afford that pressure.

"He made many young players develop. However, the situation is not easy. As the big three clubs in the world, the pressure is indeed very high," said Fabregas again.

When asked about the possibility of replacing Xavi or one day dealing with Barca, Fabregas admitted that he was not ready.

"In the end, who knows in the future. However, first of all I need to improve my skills and must develop," he said.

"I'm happy here (Como). I don't feel a very high pressure here," said Fabregas, who and Thierry Henry also own a minority stake in Como.

Como is currently competing in Serie B. In 2019, the club was bought by PT Djarum. At that time Como was in Serie D. The club only needed two years to promote until Serie B or the second level of the Italian competition after Serie A.