FC Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste said that Xavi Hernandez was always the club's bet to ... [+]
FC Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste said that Xavi Hernandez was "always" the board's bet to continue as head coach after the club legend agreed to see out his contract and stay in the dugout until at least June 30, 2025.
Xavi announced in January that he would step down from the role on the mentioned date this year.
Following a meeting at President Joan Laporta's residence where Yuste and Sporting Director Deco were also present, however, the former number 6 performed a dramatic U-turn and went back on his original word.
"There is unanimity on the board of directors regarding Xavi's continuity as coach," Yuste explained, while interviewed by journalists near Laporta's house. "Deco also trusts Xavi 100%."
"Xavi wants to develop the sporting project with these talented youngsters who are coming up. He is very excited about the project. He has detected a huge enthusiasm on the part of the [fans] and that has given him a lot of strength to continue with his work," Yuste added.
"I'm excited that Xavi can be on the bench when we return to the new Camp Nou," Yuste also said.
Changing topics, Yuste revealed he was "angry" and "outraged" about Lamine Yamal's "phantom goal" in El Clasico against Real Madrid.
"We are not competing on an equal footing," he protested.
"There were 36 cameras and the one that should have cleared up the doubts just failed. Everyone saw that it was a goal and now we're going to defend it until the end."
Commenting from the same location, Laporta's adviser Enric Masip said that the club is "very happy that [Xavi[ is still going".
"We are all together. Everyone has their opinion, but the important thing here is the project."
Masip didn't reveal what specifically inspired Xavi's change of mind and heart.
"Everyone has their own way of expressing their things in their moments. He thinks he can bring a lot to the table," Masip explained.
On Thursday afternoon at 13.00 PM local time in Catalonia, both Xavi and Laporta will hold a press conference to discuss the decision, which means that Barca could have at least an extra year to find a successor to the La Masia product.
