Xavi makes u-turn and will stick with Barcelona

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez 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 the day in meetings with Barca officials and agreed with a series of conditions set by the club and will honour the last year of his contract, a club spokesperson confirmed to Reuters news agency.

The manager is set to speak to the media on Sunday, prior to their LaLiga game against Valencia and club president Joan Laporta is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday to talk about the coach's decision.

Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions League titles and eight LaLiga crowns.

But despite being a club great and winning LaLiga last term, Barca's stuttering form this season put him under pressure.

Barca were left licking their wounds following a 3-2 LaLiga loss at leaders Real Madrid on Sunday that left them 11 points adrift of their bitter rivals with six games left. That defeat came a few days after they were knocked out of the Champions League in another heartbreaking 4-1 defeat against Paris St Germain.

That means they are almost certain to finish the season without a major trophy after a difficult campaign in which their on-field struggles have been reflected in their turmoil off the pitch