Barcelona Manager Xavi Hernandez Makes Stunning U-Turn on Firm Decision Regarding Future

Xavi - FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-PRESSER
(Photo : JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) Barcelona's Spanish coach Xavi gives a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Paris SG at the training center in Barcelona on April 15, 2024.

FC Barcelona won't be in the market for a new manager anytime soon.

Club president Joan Laporta has spent months persuading current boss Xavi Hernandez to reconsider his decision to step down at the end of the season, and it appears he has succeeded.

Xavi has reportedly reversed his earlier decision and is now set to stay on as Barcelona's manager for at least the 2024-25 season, according to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Laporta, along with the club's sporting director, Deco, met with Xavi on Wednesday, April 24, to discuss the 44-year-old's tactician's future.

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Xavi had previously declared in January 2024 his intention to leave the club at the end of 2023-24 following disappointing results.

However, the team has demonstrated competitiveness and potential in recent weeks despite setbacks such as being eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and experiencing a loss to rivals Real Madrid in the latest El Clásico. 

Barcelona set to officially confirm Xavi's decision to stay

While Barcelona has not officially announced the news, club vice president Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement as he exited the meeting.

"We had a meeting with the coach and the president in which Xavi showed us his commitment. He is a Barça guy, he is the coach who can lead our project and our young players from the club," he said.

Xavi took over as Barcelona's manager in November 2021, and under his guidance, the team secured its first La Liga title in four years last season.

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