Xavi Pascual has decided to leave Barça

BarcelonaTired of Barça's broken promises and tempted by a lucrative offer from Dubai Basketball, Xavi Pascual has decided to pay his release clause of 300,000 euros and leave the Catalan club at the end of the season. The decision has been made.

"I am only focused on the team. If there is anything to say, we will talk at the end of the season. I cannot control the rumors that come out, many things are being said," explained Xavi Pascual after Sunday's game. The coach from Gavà is very unhappy with Barça's unfulfilled promises, which had assured him the signing of a center and a reaction in case of any serious injury. Neither of these moves has been made.

The negotiations to build next season's team have not been successful, as some players the coach considered key have already committed to other teams and the club does not see a clear creation of a contingency fund. Pascual considers the signings of Moses Wright, Josh Nebo, and Olivier Nkamhoua insufficient, as well as the offer to Mike James. The Catalan is very disappointed and his entourage considers his departure a certainty.

Dubai Basketball does not confirm Pascual's signing and assures that they will only speak about signings when the season ends, but recalls that both Panathinaikos and Hapoel Tel Aviv are also interested in signing the Catalan coach.

Barça issued a statement on Friday to clarify that "it only contemplates the figure of Xavi Pascual to lead the project that is being worked on jointly." As the section's general manager, Joan Carles Navarro, already stated on April 10 in Monaco, they do not see "a future without Xavi Pascual." The club also categorically and unequivocally denied having met with Ibón Navarro or any other coach for the immediate future.

The Culé basketball section is going through a very delicate moment. Josep Cubells, the responsible director, left through the back door and Cisco Pujol landed there as the maximum responsible. At least until Joan Laporta takes office, which will be effective on July 1. Joan Carles Navarro (general manager), Bruno Fernández (sports director), and Jordi Trias (support for the sports area and institutional representative) have not spoken publicly for days.

Since Barça decided not to renew Sarunas Jasikevicius and to reduce the budget, the azulgrana team has ceased to be competitive. Neither Roger Grimau nor Joan Peñarroya could win major titles, and the effect of Xavi Pascual's arrival has proven insufficient. The club's poor economic situation, forced to comply with Javier Tebas's demands, has conditioned the planning of the basketball section.

Pascual, the great hero of Barça's second EuroLeague, began his second stint as azulgrana coach last November. The coach motivated the Culé team by winning ten consecutive games in the League, but the team gradually lost momentum.

Uncertain final stretch

Barça, who occupy third position in the Liga Endesa with 23 wins and 9 losses, will close the regular season playing against MoraBanc Andorra and Valencia Basket. After that, the azulgrana team will play the play-offs for the title. The culé team could not access the quarterfinals of the Euroleague.