Xavi Hernandez has decided to change his mind and stay as Barcelona manager, according to reliable sources.
After tonight’s meeting and Laporta insisting for him to stay, Xavi accepted Barçelona’s conditions and will continue as head coach.
Formal steps to follow, international sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano reports.
Xavi Hernández earlier announced that he will step down as coach of Barcelona at the end of the season and said he felt “liberation” at walking away from a job that he described as “cruel and unpleasant”.
He said he will not continue beyond 30 June this year, even though his contract runs until the following summer.
The former captain, midfield legend and footballing ideologue insisted the club needed a “change of direction” and that he could “not allow the situation to continue”, as a crisis of results and performance continues.
He called the decision “common sense” and said that, “as a Barcelona fan”, he felt that in leaving he was doing “the right thing”.