Barcelona head coach Xavi extends contract to 2025

ANKARA

Barcelona head coach Xavi extended his stay Friday at the defending Spanish champions until 2025.

"FC Barcelona and coach Xavi Hernandez have reached an agreement for the extension of his contract until 20 June 2025 with the option of an additional year," the team said in a statement.

The former Barcelona midfielder said he is "happy and satisfied" to renew his contract and added that he and the players will "work really hard to win everything this season and also hopefully in the future."

He was hired by Barcelona in 2021 after leaving Qatar's Al-Sadd.

Xavi is an important figure for Barcelona as he spent 24 years as a player and won 25 major trophies, including eight Spanish La Liga and four UEFA Champions Leagues titles.

Separately, he helped his native Spain win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

As head coach, Xavi won a Spanish Super Cup after Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the final in January, and the Spanish La Liga title last season.