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| Xavi Hernandes has rescinded his decision to walk away from his Barcelona job at the end of the season following a meeting with the club hierarchy. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Former captain Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as the head coach of Barcelona until the end of his contract in 2025, reversing his decision to step down in the summer.
The forty-four-year-old announced in January that he would walk away from the post at the end of the season following a run of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally, while also citing fans’ impatience and uncertainties among the club hierarchy.
However, following a meeting with club president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, sources told newsmen that the former Spain international has decided to fulfil his contractual commitment with the Catalan club, at least until the expiration of the current one.
Barcelona Vice President Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement when leaving the meeting late Wednesday night. He looked excited and was beaming with smiles, as it was a worst-kept secret that they all wanted the manager to stay.
"We had a meeting with the coach and the president in which Xavi showed us his commitment," he told reporters. "He is a Barça guy; he is the coach who can lead our project and our young players from the club. I am convinced that he will do a great job. I am very happy for him because he is a great 'culé.'
"I am happy [with Xavi staying] because I always defended the continuity of the project he started two-and-a-half years ago." We have not talked [in the meeting] about any changes in our team. Xavi has shown his enthusiasm, and we must support him and his staff to continue with this project."
After leading Barça to their first league title in four years last season and signing a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year in September, Xavi became the team's coach in 2021.
However, the team struggled in December and January as they lost to surprise package Girona, arch-rivals Real Madrid, Athletic Club, and Villareal, eliminating them from the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
That 5-3 loss to Villarreal in January led to Xavi's announcement that he would leave in the summer, but it also sparked a revival on the pitch. Youngsters Lamine Yamal and Cubarsi rose to the occasion as the club halted the rot and kicked off a blistering run.
Barça went 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, with Laporta, Yuste, and sporting director Deco all expressing their desire for Xavi to continue during that run. The unbeaten run came to an end at home last week as PSG dumped the Catalans out of Europe.