Xavi reportedly modifications plan to step down, will stick with Barcelona for an additional season

Coach Xavi Hernández will stick with Barcelona for an additional yr in spite of everything, agreeing to complete his contract to 2025 in a reversal of his choice to give up on the finish of the season, two folks with information of the settlement mentioned Wednesday.

The 2 folks spoke anonymously to The Related Press as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly concerning the deal. Barcelona was but to make it official.

Spanish media mentioned Xavi met with sports activities director Deco and president Joan Laporta, they usually agreed the coach would stick round as a substitute of leaving as initially deliberate.

The choice to stick with Xavi got here three days after a 3-2 loss to Actual Madrid that each one however ended the group’s possibilities of successful a title.

The loss in Madrid left Barcelona 11 factors behind its rival with six matches remaining. Every week in the past, Barcelona was eradicated by Paris Saint-Germain within the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Xavi had introduced that he wouldn’t proceed after the top of this season following a league loss to Villarreal in January. The membership had already been eradicated by Athletic Bilbao within the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and misplaced 4-1 to Madrid within the Spanish Tremendous Cup remaining.

Xavi mentioned on the time that the choice was made to decrease the stress and pressure that was surrounding each the group and himself. He mentioned a number of instances afterward that the announcement had the impact he meant, prompting a constructive response by the squad.

Barcelona is making an attempt to carry on to second place within the Spanish league. It sits two factors forward of third-place Girona.

Barcelona’s subsequent sport is Monday at residence in opposition to Valencia.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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