Xavi: 'The project isn't over, it must continue'

Xavi Hernández will be staying on as FC Barcelona coach. President Joan Laporta made the official announcement at a press conference this Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where Xavi himself said that the "hope, enthusiasm and faith of the board, sports area, coaching staff and players were key factors in my decision to stay on as coach of Barça".

A Barça man through and through, Xavi has decided to go back on the decision announced in January that he was resigning and to instead "continue with a project that isn't finished and that must be continued... there are several reasons, but the main one was to ensure the stability of the club and to continue building a winning team."

"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 to reappraise my thoughts. I thank them for all their support and love."

Xavi Hernández ended his talk by saying how pleased he is that things have worked out in the end and that now all he is worrying about is "continuing to work with all the enthusiasm in the world."