Deco: Barcelona head coach Xavi 'earned' his contract renewal

Barcelona's newly-appointed sporting director, Deco, has voiced his support for head coach Xavi, who is set for a contract extension.

Xavi is reportedly close to signing a one-year contract extension, and Deco insists it was a simple decision for Barcelona to hold on to the club legend.

Detractors have claimed that Xavi is only receiving the extension due to his sterling reputation at the club, following an impressive career as a player.

However, Deco made it clear that Xavi earned the opportunity via his hard work as head coach during a tough period for the Catalans.

"The decision to renew Xavi, he was always in agreement. I said Xavi the coach, but I know Xavi the person... and one of the things I told the president was that we needed patience and Xavi would give us this, he would give us time to form a team," Deco told the media.

"He has had the courage to take the team in an uncertain time, and now we are in a different time with a competitive squad."

He added: "Transitions are always difficult but if you don't do them well, it takes much longer to win again. Maybe some transition in recent years has not been done completely well.

"Xavi earned his continuity. He has to renew because he earned it."

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