Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez has reportedly decided to leave the club after a disappointing season.
This decision comes after Barcelona suffered a heavy defeat, conceding five goals to 14th-place Villareal on Saturday night.
The development was disclosed by sports and transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano as Xavi was quoted as saying:
“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.”
Xavi spent seventeen years as a player at Barcelona, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including eight league crowns and four Champions League victories.
Following the sacking of Ronald Koeman in November 2021, the Catalan giants fulfilled the terms of his contract release from Qatari side Al-Sadd, and signed him on the first team as coach until 2024.
In his first full season as the club’s manager, he clinched both the 2022–23 Supercopa de España and the 2022–23 La Liga title. However, this season has been underwhelming for Barca.
On Wednesday, Barca was eliminated from the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after a 4-2 extra-time loss to Athletic Bilbao.
Addressing reporters after the Villareal match, Xavi expressed his disappointment with how he faced criticism during his time at the club.
“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 criticise you, it affects you.”
Xavi also stated that leaving was the best decision for all the parties involved.
“This club needs a change of dynamic.”
“I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.
“The club will improve with this decision,” he declared.
