Barcelona head coach Xavi has revealed an agreement on his contract extension has now been reached and he remains determined to see his side sustain their positive start to the new campaign.
Xavi’s new deal is expected to keep him at the Nou Camp through until at least 2025.
“My renewal was settled days ago. We reached an agreement a few days ago and it will be announced shortly,” Xavi told a press conference.
“I have already said that I am 10-out-of-10 here, I am happy. We will inform you (with an official announcement), but it is done.”
Following the departure of Ronald Koeman, Xavi took over in November 2021 and last season won the LaLiga title by 10 points.
Former Al Sadd boss Xavi feels there is still more to come from his Barcelona team.
“We arrived at a difficult time, in an adverse situation,” he said.
“Seeing what we have now, we have worked very well in all areas, from the president, to the sporting section, to the staff. We are still turning the tables.
“It is a process of training and construction, but we are doing excellent work. This is the season of consolidation, of play and results.
“I feel supported, especially when at times last year things were not so good, and I feel grateful to the president for supporting me. We are in a good moment – but we cannot stop working.”
Defender Ronald Araujo has been passed fit for Saturday’s game, the Uruguay international having been sidelined for more than a month by a thigh problem. Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde are also available.
Celta Vigo have lost three of their first five LaLiga games, but Xavi is expecting a stern test.
“We will face a Celta team that has fewer points than they deserve,” he said.
“(Rafael) Benitez is a very experienced coach. It was difficult for us last year, and we hope to achieve victory, feeling good at home.”
Xavi added: “The most important thing is to open up the field and have alternatives. We need to exploit the spaces to overcome their five-man defence, but also attack from the inside.
“We need variations to unsettle their defensive structure.”
Celta manager Rafael Benitez knows the challenge ahead for his side does not get any easier this weekend as they look to get back on form.
“Barcelona are a team capable of attacking on the wings – they look for your back, they have interior passes,” said Benitez, who had tinkered between playing five at the back and a four-man defence.
“All that allows you to have clear ideas and have a lot of money to put them into practice.
Benitez told a press conference: “It will be difficult, for sure; but impossible? No. If we do things right, then we can make life difficult for anyone.
“Against Barcelona, good is not enough, but very good (maybe) – you have to have Plan A, B and C.”