Xavi Hernandez to Stay on as FC Barcelona Coach, Adds Key Member to Staff

Xavi Hernandez has officially announced his decision to remain as the head coach of FC Barcelona, marking a significant turnaround from his previous resignation announcement earlier this year. The confirmation was made by club president Joan Laporta at a press conference held at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

In his address, Xavi expressed that various factors, including the support and optimism shown by the board, players, and coaching staff, influenced his choice to continue leading the team. While initially planning to step down by the end of June, he now aims to push forward with the ongoing project.

With FC Barcelona currently occupying the second spot in La Liga with six matches remaining, their upcoming fixture against Valencia CF at the Estadi Olimpico holds significance in their pursuit of success.

As part of his plans to enhance the team’s performance and address injury concerns, Xavi has introduced a new key member to the coaching staff, Julio Tous. The strength work and injury prevention specialist has a reputed background, having previously collaborated with Xavi during his playing days, as well as with notable entities such as Juventus, the Italian national team, and Chelsea under Antonio Conte‘s management.

Reports suggest that Tous’ expertise will be instrumental in implementing a structured approach to optimize player performance and combat the injury challenges that have impacted FC Barcelona this season, with prominent names like Gavi, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong facing setbacks on the field.

Following their La Liga triumph in 2023, FC Barcelona’s aspirations for silverware this term have faced obstacles due to the fitness issues within the squad. Nevertheless, with Xavi’s renewed commitment and the arrival of Julio Tous, the club is poised to embark on a rejuvenated journey towards success in domestic and European competitions.