Xavi set to stay as Barca manager after dramatic U-turn

BARCELONA — Xavi Hernandez will remain as coach of Barcelona, the Catalan club confirmed to AFP on Wednesday, despite having announced in January that he planned to quit at the end of the season due to the "cruel and unpleasant" nature of the job.

Spanish media reported that the 44-year-old, who had signed a contract extension until 2025 last autumn, decided on his dramatic change of mind after a day of meetings with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco.

Xavi's decision comes just a week after Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Paris Saint-Germain.