Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as Barcelona coach until the end of his contract in 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN, reversing his decision to step down in the summer.
The 44-year-old announced in January that he would walk away from the post at the end of the season following a string of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally.
However, following a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, the former Spain international has decided to fulfil his contractual commitment with the Catalan club.
Barcelona Vice President Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement when exiting the meeting late Wednesday night.
“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 changes in our team at all. Xavi has shown his enthusiasm and we must support him and his staff to continue with this project.”
Xavi was appointed as Barça coach in 2021, leading them 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.
