The Team News quoted World Sports as saying that Rakitic will decide whether to retire next week.
Rakitic's future is still undecided. The former Croatian international returned to his homeland last summer to join Haiduke. He played 38 games last season and led the team to third in the league. But this former Barcelona midfield contract is about to expire. Will he continue to gallop in the green next season, or will he appear in the stands as a manager?
A few weeks ago, Rakitic refuted reports from Croatian media about his impending retirement. He posted on Instagram to clarify: "Thank you for your concern. Emotion is part of football, but I neither make a decision nor issue an official statement. There is still an unfinished career before hanging up the boots."
Similar plots are staged again this week. After Gatuso left office, Hayduke's new coach Gonzalo Garcia told Nota TV that the midfielder would retire this summer: "Rakitic's player career is about to end. He is wise, thoughtful and well-versed in football. But he is experiencing a difficult transition period: the transition from combat boots to suits has never been easy."
But according to World Sports, Rakitic once again denied the coach's statement through reporter Gerald Romero: "I have not made any decision or statement yet. I will agree with my wife next week."
If you finally choose to retire, then Rakitic is expected to enter Hayduke's management and serve as the deputy to sports director Golan Vucevic.