Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Barcelona legend Francisco Carrasco has said he thinks club president Josep Bartomeu will not be part of the team’s future as they work to keep Lionel Messi happy.
Former Barcelona winger Francisco Jose Carrasco, 60, more commonly known as ‘Lobo’ (Wolf) made the comments during television programme ‘El Chiringuito de Jugones’ broadcast by Spanish network ‘La Sexta’.
When speaking about the “crisis at Barcelona” Carrasco said: “There is something that is being prepared for Messi to not leave Barcelona.
“Xavi did not want to get on the train they put in front of him because he thought it was going to be a wreck, metaphorically speaking.
“He wants to get on the train when his time comes. He had some coldness.”
Carrasco, who played at Barcelona for 11 seasons, went on to say he is “100 percent sure” and “confirms” that former Barcelona superstar Xavi Hernandez, 40, turned down a recent offer to manage Barcelona before their current boss Quique Setien, 61, took the position.
Carrasco doubled-down on his statements saying: “Xavi was offered to manage the club. I challenge whoever you want, Abidal, whoever, I don’t care.” Referring to sporting director Eric Abidal, 40, denied having ever made any offers to Hernandez.
Carrasco said: “I am confirming that Xavi was asked to manage and Xavi is going to wait for his train.”
When asked if Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, 54, would be “a part of that train” Carrasco said: “I don’t believe so.”
Carrasco went on to say: “Things cannot get much worse for them, the results are not going their way. There will be some occurrences at Barcelona very soon.”
The comments come after Abidal received some backlash by the Argentine international for saying “many players were not happy or worked very hard” when speaking about the sacking of the club’s former boss Ernesto Valverde, 55.
Messi responded by saying “everyone should be responsible with their tasks and take responsibility for their decisions” going on to say “when you mention players, you should give names.
“If not we are all being dirtied and it feeds into comments that are being said and are not true.”
Valverde was sacked in January after some disappointing results which eventually saw the club lose top position in La Liga to Real Madrid.
Messi’s contract with Barcelona is up after the 2020-2021 season and he has yet to sign an extension with the Spanish club giants.
Barcelona are second in La Liga with 46 points – three behind Real Madrid. They are set to play Athletic Bilbao today (Thursday) for the Copa del Rey.
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