Xavi performs sensational u-turn to stay as Barcelona manager days after Real Madrid defeat

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has performed a sensational u-turn on his decision to leave the club.

In January, former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi made the surprise announcement that he would step down from his position at the end of the current season.

The 44-year-old cited the stress and the toll the job has taken on him mentally since he was appointed manager in 2021.

However, on Wednesday evening it was widely reported by sources including Mundo Deportivo and Fabrizio Romano that Xavi has changed his mind.

According to reports, Xavi has reached an agreement with Barcelona president Joan Laporta to stay at the club until the end of his current contract in 2025.

The agreement was reportedly reached after Laporta, Xavi, Barca's sporting director Deco and board members Alejandro Echeverria and Rafael Yuste all met at the president’s house in Barcelona.

There have been tensions between Xavi and Deco ever since the former Barca star was appointed sporting director last summer.

The Catalan giants have been linked with Liverpool managerial target Ruben Amorim, but the Sporting CP boss has publicly stated that he has not finished his project in Lisbon.

The news comes days after Barca suffered a 3-2 defeat to their bitter rivals Real Madrid in a thrilling Clasico encounter.

The result left Barcelona second in La Liga and 11 points behind leaders Real Madrid, all but ending their faint title hopes with just six games left to play.

Barcelona are set to end the season trophy-less after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey and lost to Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa de Espana.

Last season Xavi guided Barcelona to the league title in his first full campaign in charge.