BARCELONA.- Xavi Hernández He assured that he reversed his decision to leave Barcelona this summer, after his players convinced him that there is “a winning project”, even if this season ends without trophies.
“The complicity and support of the players has been very important,” said Xavi in a press conference on Thursday. “Also like the president (Joan Laporta) I believe that this project should not end, although this season we will surely not win titles. It is a winning project.”
Xavi appeared before the media the day after he reached an agreement with Barça to reverse the decision he made in January to leave the club he loved at the end of the current season. He committed to completing the final year of his contract which runs through June 2025.
The Barça strategist pointed out that the rebound in the team’s play was key to the change of heart and that he has the “energy” to continue.
“These three months have made me change, because the players have given us confidence. Rectifying is wise and here we are to rectify,” he stated.
The Spanish world champion insisted that he always put the well-being of the club first. And while he once thought his team needed a new method, he now thinks it can be successful.
He also denied that the decision to stay was due to financial issues.
“It was not a matter of ego or money, it is a matter of the club,” he indicated. “If they have said this it is to hurt, if I did not continue I was not going to earn a single euro. The president (Laporta) and (the sports director) Deco knows it. Whoever said it is to harm me. It’s not a money issue, it’s totally unfair.”
The decision to continue on the Barça bench was made three days after a 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid practically buried the team’s aspirations of winning a title this season.
The setback in Madrid left Barça 11 points behind its classic rival with six games left in the Spanish League. A week ago, the Catalan team was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
But Barça has shown some improvement since Xavi unexpectedly announced in January that he would be leaving. They managed to string together a streak of 13 games without losing before the defeat against PSG.
“That’s why I think the team has improved, despite not winning. Next year we will try, I want to continue competing,” said Xavi.
Faith from the Barcelona offices:
Laporta, for his part, confirmed his confidence in the coach.
“I understand the winning project with “A lot of things could happen.”
He also assured that “the economic recovery of the club is a fact” and highlighted the emergence of young figures in the squad, such as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí.
“We think that this season, despite not having met the objectives, has positive things,” Laporta said. “The consequences do not have to be drastic. But I’m not going to give the pleasure to those who want to blow everything up. And even less so with a project that I think still excites Barcelona fans.”
Source: AP
