Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has decided to reverse his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, MySportDab reports.
The former Barcelona player, who enjoyed a legendary career with the Catalan giants as a player, came under pressure to step down midway through the season following Barcelona’s stuttering start to the campaign.
In January, he finally dropped the bombshell, announcing his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after a 5-3 LaLiga capitulation by Villareal.
In frank but bitter tones, the 44-year-old World Cup and Euros winner berated his harsh treatment by the club, insisting the club may never have an Alex Ferguson as manager.
Despite his decision to step down, it was understood Xavi still had the backing of the Barcelona board, led by the club’s president Joan Laporta.
Laporta reportedly still considered the legendary culer the best choice for Barcelona at least for now following his breakthrough debut season with the club in which he won the LaLiga title and the Spanish Super Cup.
Sources close to the club reveal talks were still ongoing between the club’s hierarchy and Xavi to have him rescind his decision and stay beyond this season.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Joan Laporta has finally got Xavi to change his decision to stay at the club with a new proposal that has been accepted by the Spaniard.
The shock U-turn came despite the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League by PSG and the followed-up defeat to arch-domestic rivals, Real Madrid, in the El-Clasico.
Xavi will now run out his three-year contract with Barcelona as he sets to enter the last year of his contract next season.
There is an extension option attached to the deal till 2026. And there are projections he could be handed a new contract extension should Barcelona’s fortunes improve next season.
