---

April 25, 2024

Xavi says he will make a U-turn on leaving Barcelona and remain head coach. – ‘This project isn’t finished yet’ – La Liga

At the end of the season, Xavi will not be leaving Barcelona. The former midfield player has decided to continue in the role despite having stated earlier in the year that he would be leaving it. After taking over in 2021, Xavi helped Barca win La Liga the previous season. But with Real Madrid leading them by 11 points in the league, they appear destined to end this season without winning any hardware.

Instead of leaving Barcelona at the end of the season as planned, Xavi has decided to stay on as head coach.

In January, the former Barcelona midfielder declared he would leave a position that he called “cruel and unpleasant.”

He cited a “lack of respect” and said his work “is not appreciated.”

But Xavi decided to stick with the Blaugrana after speaking with club president Joan Laporta.

At a press conference held by the club, he affirmed the reversal of his initial decision, saying, “I changed my mind because I really felt total confidence from the president, from the board, and from the players, too. This project isn’t finished yet.”

“Me, my staff, all together feel that we have strength to make important things together and continue this project.”

He added: “My original decision was the right one at the time because we needed a change of course. But the situation is different now. I feel strong enough to continue building this project. We may not have achieved the trophy-winning targets that we set for this season, but there is hope for next season, and I think we are very close to achieving big things.”

“The players believe in me and they have expressed to me their complicity and support, they persuaded me to change my mind. The fans also encouraged me and that also led to reappraise my thoughts. I thank them for all their support and love.”

Laporta expressed his happiness at continuing to work with Xavi and reiterated their goal of moving forward and succeeding together.

“Yesterday I got the good news in which he conveyed his enthusiasm and confidence for the project and the team and project,” Laporta said.

“Our coach is ambitious to create a project that has already won things and that must continue to win. But now it will be even more competitive because changes will be made for the better.”

Barcelona is 11 points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

They progressed to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Where Paris Saint-Germain soundly defeated them.

After taking over as Barcelona’s head coach in 2021, Xavi won the championship the following year.

However, they are expected to end this campaign without receiving any awards.

With just six games remaining, Barcelona’s defeat to Real Madrid in their most recent La Liga match put them 11 points behind their bitter rivals in the standings. This was a potentially title-deciding “El Clasico.”

After receiving the Laureus award, Jude Bellingham wants to help England win the Champions League, La Liga, and Euro 2024 this summer

It’s been one of Jude Bellingham’s best weeks in his career so far. The 20-year-old assisted Real Madrid in reaching the semifinals of the Champions League. It gave his team a late advantage over Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clasico to move them one step closer to their 36th La Liga championship. He received a prize on Monday from the Laureus World Sports Awards, but he still has more goals for the season.

To cap off the 2023–24 season in style, Jude Bellingham says he wants to win a personal treble with Real Madrid and the England national team.

On Monday night, tennis player Carlos Alcaraz presented Bellingham with the Breakthrough of the Year trophy at the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards, capping a fine week for the 20-year-old.

Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 4-3 on penalties in the second leg of the quarterfinal last Wednesday, securing their spot in the UEFA Champions League semi finals.

There are only six games left in the season. After Bellingham’s game-winning goal on Sunday in the El Clasico, Real Madrid leads Barcelona by 11 points at the top of the table.

However, Bellingham has bigger goals in mind than just a double-winning campaign. This summer, he plans to play for England at Euro 2024 and win a third medal.

“It’s definitely something I want to do,” he said on the red carpet after picking up his prize at the Laureus World Sports Awards night in Madrid.”

“We’ve still got a few more games to wrap up La Liga, and then we’ve got two very difficult games against Munich [in the Champions League semi finals].”

“For the Euros, hopefully, we can take our form from the last few tournaments and do one better.”

Bellingham completed a €103 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and he has already scored 21 goals in 36 appearances for Real in all competitions this season.

The England international claims that his quick adaptation to Madrid is the result of several factors.

“I think it’s a mixture of everything,” he added. “My team-mates are amazing. The staff are just great.”

“I come out into the city every now and then, and I’m really well received by the fans. It’s a really good mix.”

In addition, Bellingham acknowledges that he lost “all control” over his body in the 91st minute of Sunday’s El Clasico.

“It’s a really special feeling,” he said.

“You lose all control of your body and how the normal senses that go through your head, you lose them really, but it’s something that I really enjoy doing, and hopefully, there will be more.”

Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona, Spain, and tennis player Novak Djokovic, ranked first in the world, were among the other Laureus Award winners.

Simone Biles, a gymnast, was named Comeback of the Year winner.

Stand behind your favorite player! Explore our site to find ways you can show your support today.

Latest Football News | Bundesliga  | English Premier League | French Ligue 1 | Italian Serie A | La Liga | La Liga News | Portuguese Primieira Liga