Joan Laporta 'proud that Xavi is staying'

President Joan Laporta made everything official at a press conference on Thursday, which he opened by beamingly pronouncing the words "I have the satisfaction of announcing that Xavi Hernández will continue as coach of the Barça first team."

He went on to explain that “you know that mid-season Xavi issued a statement that he had decided to leave at the end of the season. However, yesterday I got the good news in which he conveyed his enthusiasm and confidence for the project and the team and project. Our coach is ambitious to create a project that has already won things and that must continue to win. But now it will be even more competitive because changes will be made for the better."

"This hope and ambition showed from the first moment we met yesterday and is clearly good news for Barça. It is my belief that stability is an important aspect of successful projects. It's a maxim that I have learned throughout my experience as president."

"My other reason for supporting the decision is that Xavi is unquestionably a Barça man. Xavi, myself and the board have a Barça sentiment that we understand the same way. To have a coach who always has Barça's interests at heart, who always thinks about what's best for Barça, is very good news."

"So I am especially happy today because we have got what we wanted. The board unanimously approved this decision to stay on and have given Xavi all their encouragement, support and congratulations. He has the absolute confidence of the board the sports area and I hope the Barça community too."

"This project began practically a year ago and has already won things, a Spanish Super Cup and a Liga that I class as historic because it came after some years of drought and of utmost difficulty."

"This year we haven't achieved the targets that we wanted, basically this last week they all vanished. The league isn't mathematically lost but it's extremely difficult. However, unfortunate situations have arisen in certain games and here at Barça we're convinced that this is the best decision and one which brings stability to the institution and the project."

"This club is proud to continue having a coach of the human quality, the knowledge and unquestioned love for Barça as Xavi Hernandez."