The Xavi Hernandez rumor mill can finally grind to a halt: he’s staying put at Barcelona, thanks to a heady mix of support from the club’s top brass and the fans’ unflagging enthusiasm – a true “cocktail of reasons” that’s left him feeling more committed than ever to the Blaugrana cause.
As Barcelona’s fortunes continued to dwindle in January, Xavi, the man at the helm, made a stunning declaration: he would step down as manager come summer, leaving a year on his contract unfulfilled. The news sent shockwaves through the football world, raising questions about the club’s future.
Xavi has performed a remarkable volte-face, announcing his decision to remain at the helm of Barcelona, just weeks after declaring his intention to depart. The sudden change of heart followed a high-level meeting with President Laporta and the board, as the club seeks to salvage a season that has yielded no silverware.
Barcelona’s season hit a new low last week as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and then suffered a disheartening defeat to Real Madrid in the Clasico, a result that has left them trailing their rivals by 11 points in La Liga and facing an uphill battle to revive their campaign.
“It was a not a simple decision, in January I said (I would leave) because I thought it was best for the club,” Xavi told a news conference.
“I am full of hope, these three months have made me change, the players believe in it, and wise people are willing to rectify, here I am.
Read also: Bellingham Seals El Clasico Win For Madrid Against Barcelona
“It’s not about ego, or money, I have energy, I see the fans are happy and proud — it’s a cocktail of reasons, above all the confidence of the president and (sporting director) Deco.”
Xavi believes his team has made tremendous progress, even if they haven’t met their objectives, as they’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in Europe, a remarkable achievement considering their dominant La Liga campaign last season.
“Above all I said yesterday to Deco, the president… that the team has improved a lot,” explained Xavi.
“Two years ago we went to Bayern (Munich) and I had the feeling that we weren’t up to it. Now I think we’re in shape to compete with the biggest teams in Europe.
“I have the feeling that this year (the Champions League) escaped us by just a couple of small things, we will try again, I’m excited to — now it’s in our hands.”
Xavi said reports he was only staying because of money were designed to “hurt” him.
In a candid admission, Xavi revealed that coaching Barcelona had been an “unpleasant” and “cruel” experience, but despite this, he has found the resilience to continue, noting that Coaching is incredibly challenging, but he still have the energy and drive to lead this project forward.
In a move that has been widely welcomed, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has praised Xavi’s decision to stay on, hailing it as a vital step towards stability and consistency at the club, essential ingredients for achieving success at the highest level.