SUMMARY
- Following the loss against Villareal, Xavi announced that he would not be the club's manager anymore from next season.
- Xavi's men also lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals by Athletic Bilbao.
In a shocking series of events, FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed that he will be leaving the club. Xavi, who joined the club as its manager in 2021, has had a tough few months. The club’s defeat against Villareal on January 27, proved to be the final nail in the coffin. Following the loss, Xavi announced that he would not be the club’s manager anymore from next season.
FC Barcelona suffered a shocking defeat against the 14th-placed Villareal in their La Liga clash last night. After initially going down 2-0, FC Barcelona managed to stage a 3-2 comeback. However, two last-minute goals from the men in yellow led to Villareal winning the match 5-3. It was the first time since 1963 that FC Barcelona had managed to concede five goals in a home game.
Before the defeat against Villareal, Xavi’s men also lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals by Athletic Bilbao. Speaking in a post-match press conference after last night’s game, Xavi announced his retirement. He said, “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.”
🚨 Could you change your mind in case you’re gonna win the Champions League this season?
Xavi Hernández: “No. No chance”. pic.twitter.com/W7UKuiymu7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Xavi Hernandez further stated that nothing can convince him to continue as FC Barcelona’s coach. Upon being asked whether he would remain as the head coach of FC Barcelona if they win the Champions League, Xavi curtly replied, “No.” Currently, the former FC Barcelona midfielder will remain as the club’s coach till June 30 when the current season ends.
Xavi Hernandez blames FC Barcelona supporters for forcing his resignation
Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez further blamed the FC Barcelona supporters for his decision to leave the club. The former Spanish international admitted that he believes he’s no longer the right person to be FC Barcelona’s manager. He said, “It’s a cruel job, you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated.” He further hit out at the Spanish media who constantly scrutinized him and attacked him if he didn’t deliver results.
🚨 Xavi: “You asked me many times that if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça… the truth is that it will NEVER happen here”.
“You guys won’t allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult”.
“You see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you”. pic.twitter.com/tDvo5qmB73
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Xavi said that the pressure he was feeling that led him to leave the club hasn’t been the first instance in the club’s history. He revealed that even before him, the former FC Barcelona managers have felt the same that forced them to leave the club. Nevertheless, Xavi stated that believes that the club will benefit from his departure and it would also help ease some of the pressure on the players.
Xavi’s selfless act will help FC Barcelona’s ongoing financial crisis
Despite announcing that he will step down as FC Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez is still the club’s knight in shining armor. He announced that he doesn’t want the money he’s entitled to for the remaining part of the contract. Last year, Xavi signed a contract extension with the club that ended in 2025 with an option for a one-year extension.
🔵🔴 Xavi on his contract extended just few months ago: “It’s not about the contract. It will never be a problem, I decide with my heard”.
“Nobody can deny that I’m a man of the club. I decided to put the club in front of my own interests. I have given everything for the club”. pic.twitter.com/A8RRVeozwM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 28, 2024
According to The Athletic, Xavi’s initial annual salary at the club was $4.2 million. Following his new contract, his salary doubled and his team also got a significant increase in their salary. However, during last night’s press conference, Xavi said, “I don’t make decisions following money, my contract will never be a problem.” The 44-year-old’s decision will surely help the club’s dismal economic condition.