Following a meeting on Wednesday with Joan Laporta, the club president, and the board, Xavi Hernández has decided to continue on as head coach instead of leaving Barcelona at the conclusion of the season.
“Xavi will stay, he’s really happy and excited,” Barcelona vice-president, Rafa Yuste, told reporters outside Laporta’s home, where discussions had taken place. “We’ve never opened talks for any other coach,” Yuste added. “[Barça director] Deco trusts Xavi, it’s guaranteed.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Xavi and Deco had a face-to-face meeting, during which Laporta pushed for the head coach’s retention past the summer.
The 44-year-old had earlier declared his intention to leave following a January 5-3 home loss to Villarreal. Xavi has done a spectacular U-turn and is now anticipated to depart Camp Nou before the end of June this year, despite having a contract that runs until the conclusion of the next season.
In order to establish that Xavi will continue in the position he has had since November 2021 as manager for the upcoming season, the club is anticipated to make an official announcement shortly. Whether his contract will be extended past its present expiration date of June 2025 is unknown at this time. Laporta is scheduled to give additional details on Thursday at a press conference.
The former captain of Barcelona had maintained that a “change of direction” was necessary for the team and that he might:- “not allow the situation to continue” when he first revealed his intention to step down. “You often feel there is lack of respect, you feel that your work is not appreciated,” Xavi said in January.
The disputed 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the clasico on Sunday marked Barça’s first La Liga setback since the Villarreal loss that sparked Xavi’s statement. The squad lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and currently sits second in the standings, 11 points behind Madrid.
