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Xavi confirms he will stay at Barcelona after South Korea move
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has decided to stay at the club. Hernandez, who was expected to leave the club earlier this year, will remain in charge for one more season.
"According to President Juan Laporta, Xavi Hernandez will continue as Barcelona's first team coach," Barcelona announced on the club's official website on Friday.
Chavi Hernandez took over at Barcelona in 2021 after leaving Al Sadd in Qatar. He was considered a key figure in the golden era after Pep Guardiola and won trophies, but the team never quite reached the level of performance that everyone was happy with.
He announced in January of last year that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the 2023-24 season, with one year left on his contract. "I'm leaving Barcelona," he said. I've reached a point of no return and it's time for a change. I have spoken to the highest levels. The club will be better off with my decision," he said.
When Chavi Hernandez decided to leave the team, he was linked to quite a few teams. Manchester United, Dortmund, and other struggling teams were said to want him. There were even rumors that the Korean Football Association was looking at him as the next head coach of the South Korean national team.
However, since the announcement of Chavi Hernandez, the team has gotten back on track. While the team's exit in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League was disappointing, it wasn't a bad performance. Barcelona's hierarchy urged him to resign, and he eventually decided to stay.
Following European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, numerous Spanish media outlets have confirmed that the coach will stay at the club. His contract runs until 2025.
Laporta held a press conference afterward and said, "Chavi Hernandez has a desire to continue his project with the team. It's great news for Barcelona. Chavi Hernandez is a Barcelonan, without a doubt. He understands the Barcelona sentiment. Even though we didn't achieve the goals we wanted this season, I think it's still a positive. I'm proud to be associated with him."
"Our project is not over. It has to continue. The main reason is to stabilize the club and build a winning team. It's not the same situation as when I decided to leave. We didn't win the trophies we wanted this season, but we feel strong enough. I have hope for next season and I think we are very close to achieving big goals. I'm a big Barcelona fan. Staying with the team seems to be the best option for the club."