Football News

One of the biggest jobs in European football is no longer available after Xavi announced he is staying on as Barcelona coach.

The Barca icon was due to vacate the Camp Nou hot-seat at the end of 2023/24, after revealing in January he was stepping down. Barcelona lost a thrilling La Liga game to Villarreal on January 27, but it was not the result that grabbed the headlines for long after that match.

Head coach Xavi announced after the 5-3 home loss that he would be leaving Barca at the end of the season. The former star midfielder said the decision was "for the good of the players" after finding life difficult in 2023/24 following their title win last term.

"For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave," Xavi said after that defeat that left Barca 11 points behind surprise early-season leaders Girona. "I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change. This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing."

Something, though, has clearly now changed.

Despite being dumped out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage this month following a thrilling comeback by PSG, and with the LaLiga title out of reach as arch-rivals Real Madrid sit well clear at the top of the table, Xavi has now made a U-turn. On April 25, he confirmed he would be staying until at least the end of his current contract, which expires in June 2025.

"I think this is what's best for the Club."

— Xavi pic.twitter.com/xFRjlWSJKH

Here we breakdown his record at Barcelona, and what his continuation means for the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid move step closer to LaLiga title with El Clasico win

Despite what everyone thought, the answer is emphatically now 'yes'. 

At a press conference held with club

El Clasico