SUMMARY
- Xavi announced that he would be leaving his position as manager of Barcelona at the end of the current campaign.
- The former Spain international entered the match under pressure following a lackluster performance from his team.
Following their shocking loss to Villarreal, Xavi announced that he would be leaving his position as manager of Barcelona at the end of the current campaign. The former Spain international entered the match under pressure following a lackluster performance from his team.
However, when Barca overcame a two-go deficit to lead 3-2, things appeared to be improving. However, Villarreal reversed the tide of the game, winning shockingly by scoring twice in stoppage time. This led to a lot of unrest among the Barca fans and the players.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Xavi Hernández has decided to LEAVE Barcelona at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/yuWrx7JgSR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Xavi then shockingly announced that he was going to leave the team after the season in the aftermath. Xavi said, “I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite. Right now, if I think with my head and think about the club, the solution, and the best thing is for me to leave in June, that is how I feel.”
It remains to be seen what happens next with Xavi and Barcelona as a lot of pressure will be on Barcelona’s management to find a fitting replacement for Xavi. As for Xavi, it remains to be seen which club he will manage next in his career or whether he opts to take a break from the sport.
FC Barcelona coach reveals his departure date
After their most recent setback, Barcelona is now 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid and in third place, behind Girona, meaning their chances of winning the championship are dwindling. Following Barca’s 4-1 loss to Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup two weeks prior, Xavi made threats to “pack his bags.” He eventually decided to resign after a shocking loss to Villareal at the Cam Nou.
🚨 Xavi: “I will leave Barcelona in June”.
“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave”.
“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”. pic.twitter.com/PiT9gZItRQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2024
Xavi said, “I want to announce that on June 30 I will not continue as coach of Barcelona,” the club great said. “I decided a few days ago, but I think it’s time. The club needs a change of dynamic,” added Xavi revealing his departure date and reason behind his resignation.
Xavi dismisses comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson
After announcing his departure Xavi was compared to the great manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. He quickly dismissed those comparisons and said, “You asked me many times 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.”
🚨 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
The 44-year-old stated that if he no longer felt supported by his fellow players, he would not think twice about leaving the team he once captained. Barca succumbed to Athletic Club 4-2 in their current bad run of form, sending them out of the Copa del Rey in the quarterfinals.