Xavi explains decision to stay put at Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Xavi has on Thursday provided an insight into his decision to go back on his word to depart the club in the summer.

The headline news across Catalunya’s capital over the course of the last 24 hours has of course come in the form of Xavi’s continuity.

After a day of contrasting claims across the Spanish media when it came to the plans of the 44-year-old, Xavi himself sat down for a decisive meeting with Barca president Joan Laporta, and sporting director Deco.

And, upon emerging from as much, the Spaniard had been convinced of the merits of seeing out the final year of his contract at the Camp Nou.

So, what exactly led to as much?

As alluded to above, on Thursday afternoon, Xavi provided an insight into some of the details of the meeting between he and the Blaugrana brass, in the process shedding light on the factors which culminated in his position on the bench for the 2024/25 campaign being confirmed:

“I have changed my mind. Rectifying is for wise people. It’s not a matter of money or ego. I really felt total confidence on the part of the president, the board and also the players. This project has not finished yet.

“I am a Barcelona fan, I am a club man, and the most important thing is to think about the entity. In yesterday’s meeting I made the position available to them and I noticed absolute confidence from the entire board.

“I feel strong, both me and the staff. Yesterday we sat down with the president and in 2 or 3 minutes we understood each other. I think it is the best decision we could make.

“It has not been an easy decision, because in January I already conveyed what I believed was best for the club. But the circumstances have now changed and I believe that my continuity is the best.

“Yesterday we talked about transcendent things, we have to be a team and a family. Just as I am transparent with you, I am also transparent internally. If we are a family everything will be better,” he concluded.

Conor Laird | GSFN