SUMMARY
- Xavi has announced that he is leaving FC Barcelona at the end of the current season.
- Xavi has managed the for more than two years.
Xavi has announced that he is leaving FC Barcelona at the end of the current season. The Spanish manager announced his decision after Barcelona suffered another defeat in La Liga against Villarreal on January 27. They are currently 3rd in the league, 10 points behind Real Madrid.
The announcement has been expected within the fan base of the club, as FC Barcelona has failed to be competitive in the league this season, while also showing signs of struggles in the UEFA Champions League.
When did Xavi join Barcelona?
Xavi joined as the manager of FC Barcelona in November 2021. The manager took charge of his first game in a derby against Espanyol at Spotify Camp Nou. The Spanish manager signed an extension in 2023 that would have kept him at the club till 2025.
Xavi Hernández: “I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barça. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation.” pic.twitter.com/VSEfG2zRNt
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 27, 2024
However, Xavi has told the club board that he intends to step down as the club manager, where he spent most of his career as a player. While the current season of FC Barcelona under Xavi has been underwhelming, the previous season was a success for the club.
Xavi’s stats and achievements
Xavi has managed the for more than two years, and in this time he has helped the club to win two major titles. He won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2022/23 season. He has managed the club for 122 games, in which he has won 76 matches with only 26 losses. Furthermore, he has used 76 players in his tenure as he continues to give a push to young talents at the club.
Xavi: “I’ve been a man of the Club. I’ve prioritized it above even myself. I’ve given everything I have. And I will continue to do so to make the fans feel proud.” pic.twitter.com/uspbqhgupi
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 27, 2024
Barcelona is already out of the Copa del Ray with a defeat against Athletic Club on January 24. They were defeated in the Spanish Super Cup in the final by Real Madrid. While winning La Liga would be tough at this point considering the form of Real Madrid. The only chance for Xavi to win any silverware this season is an extraordinary run in the UEFA Champions League.
FC Barcelona has been struggling financially since the pandemic, which will make the job for the next manager as harder as it was for Xavi during his tenure at the club. The only positive for the upcoming manager is the fact that the Camp Nou’s renovation will be completed during the next season.