In a press conference this Thursday (25), the coach of Barcelona, xavirevealed what made him change his mind and agree to remain in charge of the club next season.
In January of this year, the coach had announced that he would leave his position at the end of 2023/24, despite having signed a contract until 2025. Last Wednesday (24), however, The ESPN anticipated that he backed down on his decision and agreed to continue leading the culéseven with the recent defeats to PSG It is Real Madrid having ended the club’s title hopes this year.
In this Thursday’s interview, Xavi stated that the “support he receives behind the scenes at the club” and the “desire to finish the project started in 2021” were the reasons for his change of decision.
“I love Barcelona and I always try to do what is best for the club”, he began.
“In these three months (since he announced his departure), I have received a lot of support from the president (Joan Laporta), the board in general and (sporting director) Deco. In addition, the support from the players and fans, who have always supported me on the streets and in the stadium, they were also very important for me to reverse the decision I had made”, he explained.
“We probably won’t win trophies this season, but what we have here is a winning project. We have to follow through on it and keep working hard. I feel we have the capacity, energy and motivation to move forward”, he highlighted.
“In January, I thought the club needed a change, but I think (staying) is the best decision now. I think (staying) will bring stability to the team. I’m happy, but above all I’m very happy for the support that I have been receiving behind the scenes”, he added.
“Many people made me see that our project here has not yet been completed. I will stay here to continue winning. We will correct the small details that cost us dearly this year, and I believe that next season we will be closer to achieving our goals” , he added.
Xavi also denied that he required the hiring of heavyweight reinforcements to stay. At the same time, he also refuted reports that Barça only wanted him to stay because the coach would not give up what he still had to receive until the end of the contract.
“That’s not true. This information comes from people who want to damage my personal image,” he said.
“Laporta and Deco know, and I have also said this publicly, that I would give up any amount, so that the funds could be used to hire the next coach”, he assured.
