Coach Xavi of Barcelona changed his mind that this would be his last season and will stay with the team until June 2025, at the latest, if his contract expires.
The 44-year-old declared in January that he will quit as head of the company this summer.
However, the former Barcelona and Spain player has made a U-turn since president Joan Laporta is eager for him to stay.
After leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, Xavi assumed leadership in November 2021 and led Barca to the Spanish title in his first full season in 2022–2023.
With six games remaining in the current season, they trail La Liga leaders Real Madrid by 11 points.
Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to Paris St-Germain in the quarterfinals.
Xavi, who had an amazing playing career at Barcelona and won 25 trophies, had expressed that he felt “liberated” once it was announced he would be leaving the position at the end of the current campaign.
He felt unprotected by the club and without direction when he announced his departure following Villarreal’s defeat.
But ever since Xavi felt comfortable adopting a more laid-back style, the team’s performance has increased.
They were unbeaten in their previous ten league games before falling short 3-2 at Real Madrid on Sunday.
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During a meeting held in Laporta’s home on Wednesday, it was clear that the club was pressuring him to stay.
By the end of the 2024–2025 season, if Xavi isn’t able to make the team better, Barcelona will try to convince one of the prominent managers who won’t be under contract at that time, such as Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.
