Barcelona’s iconic figure, Xavi Hernandez, has reached an agreement with the club to extend his contract until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Having enjoyed a successful playing career at Camp Nou, it was always anticipated that Xavi would eventually take the reins as the manager of the Catalan giants.
Surprisingly, this opportunity materialized sooner than expected, as Xavi spent two-and-a-half years with Qatari side Al Sadd before assuming his current position in La Liga.
Since then, the 43-year-old has played a pivotal role in resurging Barcelona amidst their financial struggles.
In the previous season, Barcelona clinched the La Liga title by an impressive ten-point margin, conceding just 20 goals along the way. Furthermore, they secured the Supercopa de Espana, reaffirming their dominance in Spanish football.
With their sights set on European success, Barcelona aims to leave a mark in the upcoming Champions League tournament following their early exit in the 2022-23 season.
Club officials are eager to solidify their foundation, and therefore, Xavi’s contract extension comes as no surprise.
Marca reports that Xavi has committed his future to Barcelona until the summer of 2026, extending his stay by two additional years.
This decision arrives as Xavi’s existing terms are due to expire within the next 12 months. According to insiders, President Joan Laporta successfully negotiated the terms of the contract extension during discussions with Xavi.
During his tenure as the manager, Xavi has overseen a total of 94 matches in various competitions, achieving 58 victories, 17 draws, and 19 defeats since November 2021.
In the current 2023-24 season, Barcelona has showcased their prowess by securing wins against Cadiz, Villarreal, and Osasuna consecutively.
However, an inability to emerge victorious against Getafe on the opening day has left them trailing two points behind their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.
Looking ahead, Barcelona’s temporary home, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, will host their next fixture against Real Betis on September 16. The team aims to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position in the league standings.