Why does he still want to be friends after he broke up with you?

It usually boils down to one or more of the following reasons: ---The ex thinks by saying they want to be friends, they'll soften the blow of breaking up with you and appear to be less of the 'heartless dumper'. The desire for friendship may not be genuine, just a temporary way of appeasing you. ---Staying friends with you allows them to enjoy the 'buddy' aspects about you they like while no longer having to deal with the boyfriend/girlfriend aspect. ---They may hope to keep you on the back burner, in case their current relationship doesn't work out. The problem is, by staying in touch with them, you keep investing in the hope that they'll change their mind about being with you. Being friends with the ex, especially immediately following the breakup, makes it harder for you to get past the pain and accept that the relationship you had or desired with them is firmly in the past. Try going no contact for awhile--no communication between you--it might make it easier to move on.