Barcelona head coach, Xavi Hernandez, has decided to stay at the club this summer.
Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, disclosed this in post via his X handle.
Xavi is reported to have met with the club’s president, Joan Laporta and sporting director, Deco, on Wednesday night.
It was learnt that after the meeting he had a change of mind and accepted the conditions to continue in charge of the La Liga giant.
Xavi, 44, 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.
Taking to his X, Romano wrote, “BREAKING: Xavi has decided to change his mind and STAY as Barcelona manager!
“After tonight’s meeting and Laporta insisting for him to stay, Xavi accepts Barça conditions and will continue as head coach.
“Formal steps to follow.”
Xavi, 44, announced in January that he would leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season following a string of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally.
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.
Barcelona had face serious challenges in December and January, though, when they conceded four or more goals in defeats to Girona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal as they were eliminated from the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
Xavi’s announcement that he would leave in the summer, may not be unconnected with the 5-3 loss to Villarreal in January but it also sparked a revival on the pitch.
Barça went 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, with Laporta, vice president Rafa Yuste and sporting director Deco all hope that Xavi continue during that run.
That streak ended last week as Barça lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League to exit the competition at the quarterfinal stage, missing out on a first semifinal appearance since 2019.
They equally lost El Clásico 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday, leaving them 11 points behind the leaders in LaLiga and certainly out of the title race with just six games to be played.
However, those results seemed not to have affected Barça’s position on Xavi and that they still hoped he would reverse his decision.
