BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Coach Xavi Hernández will stay with Barcelona for another year after all, agreeing to finish his contract to 2025 in a reversal of his decision to quit at the end of the season, two people with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday.
The two people spoke anonymously to The Associated Press because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the deal.
Barcelona was expected to make the decision official on Thursday, when club president Joan Laporta would explain the details about the turnaround.
Spanish media said Xavi met with Laporta and sports director Deco for several hours on Wednesday before agreeing that the coach would stick around instead of leaving as initially planned.
The decision to stay with Xavi came three days after a 3-2 loss to Real Madrid that all but ended the team’s chances of winning a title.
Grant Shapps swerves questions on whether Britain could follow the US by banning Chinese
161 ancient tombs unearthed in east China
Warships engage in comprehensive training
Guangdong sink Beijing in OT, end losing skid
Investigator says Trump, allies were part of Michigan election scheme despite not being charged
Sudden heavy rains in Oman kill at least 17 including schoolchildren whose bus was overtaken
What does science say about the ingredients in functional beverages?
Delilah Hamlin goes braless in white tank top and short shorts alongside ab