Xavi Hernandez who is the current Barcelona coach has revealed that he understands Gerard Pique’s choice to retire midway by way of the season, as a result of the 35-year-old defender doesn’t truly really feel as “vital or helpful” to the workforce as earlier than.
Pique had additionally introduced that he can be enjoying his closing match at Camp Nou on Saturday in opposition to Almeria, whereas he can even be out there for the membership’s final sport earlier than the World Cup occasion at Osasuna on Tuesday.
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This season Xavi has solely known as on him due to accidents, with Pique behind Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen within the pecking order at centre-back.
“They’re powerful circumstances for him, which have led to him quitting,” Xavi instructed a press convention Friday.
“Enjoying much less, being much less helpful, I went by way of this example too and it’s regular to step apart. He deserves each commendation and for Barcelona followers to honour him, as he’s a membership legend.”
Xavi, who had additionally performed alongside Pique as a team-mate throughout the membership’s most profitable period, during which they received trebles in 2009 and 2015 had additionally admitted he performed a major function within the circumstances that led to his former team-mate’s retirement.
Spanish media reported that Xavi instructed Pique he would hardly function this season throughout a summer season chat with the defender. Though the coach didn’t wish to reveal particulars, he mentioned it was one in all his most troublesome moments as a coach.
“We had a dialog initially of the season the place I instructed him my intentions. It was personal, and it was one of the troublesome days of my teaching profession.
“And it’s (troublesome) now too, he was my team-mate, I maintain him in nice esteem. If you end up now not as vital or helpful to the workforce, you’re feeling dangerous.
“(My function) was absolutely vital however these are choices that you must take for the nice of the membership. I seemed for the very best for Barca. That’s how powerful it’s.
“I’ve to take choices, I’m Barca coach, and it’s not good to should make these type of choices.”
Xavi mentioned Pique was top-of-the-line centre-backs of all-time, holding him up alongside the likes of Carles Puyol, John Terry, Franz Beckenbauer and Franco Baresi.
“He’s valiant, aggressive, a winner, he has no fears or complexes, he’s very aggressive, very clever, was a fantastic team-mate and an excellent captain,” added Xavi.
Pique has beforehand acknowledged he wish to be Barcelona’s president sooner or later and mentioned he can be “again” in his goodbye video.