Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has agreed a one-year contract extension with the LaLiga champions, extending his stay until 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN.
The new deal also includes a one-year extension option.
Xavi’s current contract expires next summer, but he has always insisted there will be “no problem” in reaching an agreement on new terms.
Negotiations accelerated after the transfer window closed earlier this month, with an official announcement possible as early as this week, the source added.
Xavi, who is now 43 years old, replaced Ronald Koeman as Barca coach at the end of 2021 after starting his coaching career in Qatar with Al Sadd.
In his first season in charge, he took the club from ninth to second, ensuring Champions League qualification.
Last season, he led the Blaugrana to their first LaLiga title since 2019, winning the league by 10 points.
There was also success in the Spanish Super Cup, with an impressive 3-1 win against Real Madrid in the final, but Barcelona failed in the Champions League, Europa League and Copa del Rey.
During his nearly two year stint as coach, Xavi also made a squad overhaul, with veteran players Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique among those who have left since he took over as Barcelona coach.
Meanwhile, Ilkay Gündogan and Robert Lewandowski are among the club’s experienced signings, with youngsters Ronaldo Araujo, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal among those playing increasingly significant roles.
João Félix and João Cancelo are the two new players added to the squad.
Their arrivals have helped achieve back-to-back 5-0 wins over Real Betis and Antwerp which saw Xavi say Barca are currently playing their best football since he took over.
“I’m very happy with the result, but the most important thing is the way we played,” said Xavi, who replaced Ronald Koeman as Barcelona coach in November 2021 and led the club to the LaLiga title last season.
“The early stages tonight happened because we didn’t press well, but from the 20th minute, I think we controlled the game. We dominated possession, won the ball high and attacked in good positions.”
“Obviously the team’s level rises when [Ilkay] Gündogan plays, [João] Cancelo knows what we want and Félix starts well. I think these last two games are the best level we showed when I was in charge. That’s the path to follow. “
Xavi previously spent 24 years at Barca as a player, including 17 years in the first team.
He made 767 appearances for the club, winning 25 trophies, including eight LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
