Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said today that he gave up on the decision to leave the club in the summer, as the players convinced him with better performances that he has a winning team, despite the fact that they will end the season without a trophy.
"Many people, including my players, made me see that this is not over," Xavi said at a press conference.
Xavi made the comments a day after reaching an agreement with Barcelona leaders to reverse his decision. He announced in January that he would leave the club at the end of the season, but still decided to stay until the end of his contract, which expires in June 2025.
The former Barcelona player said that his team's better play was key, as was the feeling that they had the strength to continue.
The former Spanish national team member stated that he always put the welfare of the club and the team first and while he once thought the team needed a new approach, he now thinks it can be successful.
Xavi denied that it was about money.
"The president of the club knows that I would not have asked for a single euro if I had left the club before the contract expired," he said.
Xavi made the decision to stay three days after the 2:3 defeat in the big derby against Real Madrid. After that defeat, Barcelona is second in the table with 11 points behind Real, six rounds before the end of Primera.
Last week, Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League over two legs against Paris Saint-Germain.
Before that elimination, Barcelona had gone on a 13-game unbeaten run since Xavi announced his departure in January.
"I think my time at the club is not over and I believe we can be successful. I am convinced of that and these three months made me see it. And since changing one's mind is a sign of wisdom, I decided to change one's mind," said Xavi .
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