Xavi set to stay as Barca manager after dramatic U-turn

BARCELONA — Xavi Hernandez will remain as coach of Barcelona, the Catalan club confirmed to AFP on Wednesday, despite having announced in January that he planned to quit at the end of the season due to the "cruel and unpleasant" nature of the job.

Spanish media reported that the 44-year-old, who had signed a contract extension until 2025 last autumn, decided on his dramatic change of mind after a day of meetings with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco.

Xavi's decision comes just a week after Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Paris Saint-Germain.

On Sunday, the defending champion fell 11 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga's title race, following a 3-2 "El Clasico" defeat to its bitter rival.

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi said he felt "liberated" when he made his decision to stand down.

He had repeatedly said the job was his "dream", but admitted the pressure of the role eventually proved too much.

"Every day, you are made to feel that you are not good enough," he said after a shock 5-3 home loss to Villarreal.

"It happened to all the coaches: Pep (Guardiola) told me, it happened to (Ernesto) Valverde, and I saw Luis Enrique suffer."

He added: "You often feel there is lack of respect, you feel that your work is not appreciated. It wears you down in terms of health, of mental health, your mood and your emotional state. I am a positive guy, but the energy goes down, down, down, until the point at which you say: 'It makes no sense. It makes no sense to continue.'"

Barcelona, which has struggled with financial issues in recent seasons, appointed Xavi as boss in November 2021 and he helped turn its fortunes around, lifting the league title last term.

But, this season it was also thrashed 4-1 by Real in the Spanish Super Cup and was dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao.

When he first announced his decision to step down in January, Xavi said demands of the job meant that he could not enjoy himself at his boyhood club.

"From June 30 I will not continue as Barca coach ... as a Barca fan, I think the club needs a change of dynamic," he said at the time.

Xavi added that his decision was "for the good of the team", and that the players would "be freed up "moving forward. His words were heavily criticized by pundits, but seemed to have a positive impact, with Barca going unbeaten in its next 13 competitive games.

Yet, two defeats in its last two games has left it facing a trophyless season.

Sources told Reuters that Xavi was promised that no major changes to his staff were expected, and Laporta assured him that they will be able to sign top-level players, despite the club's deepening financial problems.

Barca faces challenges related to its massive wage bill and a $1.7 billion Camp Nou stadium renovation project, so it could be another challenging summer for Xavi in the transfer market, when he may be forced to sell key players to meet La Liga's financial control requirements.

Since Xavi announced his intention to leave at the end of the season there has been a lack of experienced coaches linked with the job.

Only former defender Rafael Marquez, who currently manages the Barcelona B team, had been regarded as a serious contender.

Ex-Germany coach Hansi Flick and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi were also linked.

Despite Barcelona's indifferent season, there are signs of hope for the club's future well-being, with the emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 20-year-old Fermin Lopez coming through the ranks.

Agencies