‘They changed my mind’: Xavi reveals why he decided to stay at Barcelona

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has opened up on why he decided to stay at the club despite his initial decision to leave after the current season.

Xavi announced in January that he would step down at the end of the season, believing his team needed a “change of dynamic.”

However, things took a new turn on Thursday when Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed that Xavi would be staying,.

Speaking about his decision, Xavi told a press conference: “My original decision was the right one at the time because we needed a change of course. But the situation is different now. I feel strong enough to continue building this project.

“We may not have achieved the trophy-winning targets that we set for this season, but there is hope for next season and I think we are very close to achieving big things.

“The players believe in me and they have expressed to me their complicity and support, they persuaded me to change my mind.

“The fans also encouraged me and that also led me to reappraise my thoughts. I thank them for all their support and love.”

Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp in November 2021 with Barcelona lying in ninth place in the LaLiga table, 11 points off the top and 10 behind arch-rivals Real Madrid.

However, he has turned things around at the club winning the La Liga title last season. Xavi is contracted to the club until the summer of 2025.

Barcelona currently sit second in the table, 11 points adrift of Madrid with six games to play.