Barcelona

Xavi 'reaches agreement with Barcelona over new contract'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 September 2023

Barcelona head coach Xavi reportedly comes to an agreement with the Catalan giants over a new contract, which is set to run until June 2025.

Xavi has reportedly come to an agreement with Barcelona over a new contract, with the manager's fresh deal set to run until June 2025.

The 43-year-old's existing contract with the Catalan giants is due to expire next summer, but the head coach and club president Joan Laporta have said on multiple occasions in recent months that an agreement was not far away.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi is set to sign a contract until the summer of 2025, with an announcement from Barcelona expected to arrive over the next week.

The report claims that Fernando Solanas, who represents Xavi, has been negotiating with the club, and a full agreement has now been reached between all parties.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has added that a new deal for the manager 'was never in danger'.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on September 3, 2023 © Reuters

When asked about his contract situation towards the head of last month, Xavi told reporters: "I'm calm, happy, I'm at the club I love. As I have always said, it is a privilege to be here. In my case, it doesn't change anything.

"It is still ten out of ten. There is no problem at all. Everything is calm, happy, and in perfect harmony with the sports area and the president. The staff are delighted to work here and there won't be any problems."

Xavi famously represented Barcelona as a player between 1991 and 2015 before ending his professional career at Al-Sadd, and he then managed the Qatari outfit between 2019 and 2021.

The former Spain international returned to Barcelona as head coach in November 2021, and he has taken charge of 94 matches for the club, boasting a record of 58 wins, 17 draws and 19 losses.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on March 19, 2023 © Reuters

Xavi led Barcelona to a La Liga and Spanish Super Cup double last season, but the Catalan outfit again failed to progress past the group stage of the Champions League.

Improving in Europe will be one of the club's main ambitions this season, while Xavi will again be expected to lead a strong challenge for the La Liga title.

Barcelona have made a solid start to their 2023-24 campaign, picking up 10 points from their opening four matches, which has left them in third position in the table.

The Catalan outfit drew their opener with Getafe but have since beaten Cadiz, Villarreal and Osasuna, and they will be back in league action at home to Real Betis on September 16.

Barcelona will then welcome Royal Antwerp to Camp Nou in their Champions League opener on September 19.