'Nothing has changed' - Barcelona boss Xavi insists he is NOT about to be dramatically sacked having already U-turned on exit decision

Xavi announced he would step down as manager at the end of the season in January, only to reverse that decision in April. This week, however, reports suggested president Joan Laporta was going to sack the former Barcelona midfielder after saying the club is in a "difficult" place economically and they couldn't sign any player they wanted like "25 years ago". Despite that, the 44-year-old struck a defiant tone, saying he is not going anywhere.

He told reporters: "I'm interested in having the confidence of the president and [sporting director] Deco, and they transmit this to me. For me nothing has changed.

"We'll sit down with Laporta, we're in contact, if we have to talk about something we'll do it, but we're like three weeks ago - there's a project, we've competed and nothing changes. I understand the questions but I'm calm."

Asked if anything had changed in the past day, he replied: "No, not at all. I have zero doubts that things can go well... I understand that next year we can compete better, I have ambition intact and with this news even more."

Xavi led Barcelona to La Liga title success in 2022-23 but this season they are 14 points behind bitter rivals and champions Real Madrid, and they will end the campaign trophyless. But the Spaniard has tasted success at the Catalan outfit and holding onto him could bear fruit in the long-term.

Barcelona round off their La Liga season against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening, followed by a trip to Sevilla on May 25. They will hope to stave off Girona to finish second in the table.