Xavi Hernandez will continue to be Barcelona’s quarterback next season. The legendary midfielder of the Catalans announced earlier in the year that he would leave at the end of the current campaign, but the situation has changed and he will eventually continue to work at his favorite team.
The 44-year-old former footballer has been associated with the Blaugrana for more than three decades, having started his career at the legendary La Masia school in 1991, making his debut for the first team in 1997 and staying there until 2015. The separation between the two countries lasted six years, during which he first played and then worked in Qatar before returning home to coach in 2021.
Under his leadership last season, Barca won their first title after a four-year hiatus. After a string of disappointing results in January, including 4-1 and 2-4 losses to Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, he was under huge pressure, and in the end the 3-5 defeat at Villarreal was the last straw and he announced that he will leave at the end of the season.
However, following a meeting with club president Joan Laporta this evening, the legend has ultimately agreed to continue working as the club’s mentor. The change in his decision was reached after Laporta’s express insistence.
Barcelona are heading into the season without a trophy after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey and Champions League, and are 11 points behind league leaders Real Madrid with six rounds remaining.
