Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has reversed his decision to step down at the end of the season and agreed to stay in charge of the LaLiga giants for the 2024-25 campaign.
Xavi spent most of Wednesday in meetings with Barca officials and agreed with a series of conditions set by the club to honour the last year of his contract, sources said, although it is still unclear what those terms are.
The coach is set to speak to the media on Sunday, prior to his side's La Liga game against Valencia, while club president Joan Laporta is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday to talk about the coach's decision.
"Xavi will continue and is very excited, there is unanimity in the club's board that he should continue," club vice-president Rafa Yuste told reporters outside Laporta's home in Barcelona on Wednesday evening.
Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions Leagues and eight La Ligas.
But despite being a club great and winning the league last term, Barca's stuttering form this season put him under pressure.
When in January he announced his decision to step down, Xavi said he felt "liberated", adding the pressure and demands of the job meant he could not enjoy himself at his boyhood club.
He said his decision was "for the good of the team" and would "free up" the players.
His words were heavily criticised by pundits, but seemed to have a positive impact, with Barca going unbeaten in their next 13 competitive games.
But two defeats in their last two games have left them facing a trophyless season.
A 3-2 La Liga defeat at leaders Real Madrid on Sunday left them 11 points adrift of their bitter rivals with six games left.
That came a few days after they were knocked out of the Champions League in a 4-1 humbling by Paris St Germain.
Australian Associated Press
