La Liga
Xavi: Why I Changed My Mind About Leaving Barcelona
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez expressed that his decision to continue leading the club into the 2024-25 season was driven by his sense of unfinished business and not financial incentives.
During a press conference on Thursday, Xavi accompanied by club president Joan Laporta and sports director Deco, highlighted the significant progress in the team’s performances and morale that he has witnessed over the past two months.
After a series of meetings with club officials, former Barcelona midfielder Xavi spent most of the previous day discussing various matters. Following Barca’s announcement on Wednesday that Xavi, who had previously declared his intention to step down at the end of the season, would remain in charge for the final year of his contract. This decision came after he agreed to a set of undisclosed conditions outlined by the club.
“It has not been a simple or easy decision. In January, I thought it was the best thing for the club, but circumstances have changed and, now, I think that continuity is the best thing,” Xavi said. “I think that the project is not finished, that we can build it into a winning project. I am convinced and very excited. From three months ago to now, everything has changed”.
“As rectifying is wise, we are here to rectify. It wasn’t a question of ego or money, it’s a question of the club’s wellbeing and a matter of confidence in what we are doing.” He said.
Xavi denied rumors suggesting that he had requested a release clause in his contract and emphasized that he had no intention of seeking any financial compensation to resign from his position.
“I ratify Xavi’s words. It has not been a question of money, but a sporting and institutional one,” Laporta said. “Barcelona fans should know that Xavi has never been greedy when it comes to money, he has always thought about the club and has never been a condition of any kind”.
He continued, “We know that he made some statements in the middle of the season, but today we have the good news that he is staying and he has conveyed to me the enthusiasm and confidence he has in the project.”
Xavi had a remarkable 17-year career at Barcelona, accumulating 767 appearances and securing 25 trophies, which included four Champions League titles and eight La Liga championships. Despite his legendary status at the club and leading them to a La Liga victory last season, Barcelona’s inconsistent performance this season placed him in a challenging position.
In January, when he initially declared his intention to resign, Xavi expressed feeling a sense of liberation. He noted that the immense pressure and expectations associated with the role prevented him from fully enjoying his time at his beloved childhood club.
At that time, Xavi stated that his choice was made “for the benefit of the team” and believed that the players would experience a sense of liberation in the future. While his remarks faced criticism from pundits, they appeared to have a constructive effect, as Barcelona went undefeated in their following 13 competitive matches.
However, Barcelona’s recent back-to-back losses have placed them in a position where they are on track for a season without any trophies. A 3-2 defeat in La Liga against league leaders Real Madrid over the weekend saw them fall 11 points behind their fierce rivals with only six games remaining.
This loss followed their elimination from the Champions League after a heartbreaking 4-1 defeat to Paris St Germain. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona President Laporta expressed unwavering confidence in Xavi’s capabilities as the right individual for the managerial role.
“Xavi staying is a matter of keep believing in our project through Barcelona’s identity and belief,” Laporta said. “I am left with the reaffirmation that, as a first-team coach, we have an extraordinary person with a spectacular knowledge of football and with a loyal club fan spirit that transmits enthusiasm, confidence, and generosity. Barcelona fans can be proud of the coach we have.”
