FC Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez, has disclosed his decision to step down from his role by June 30.
This revelation was made during a post-match press conference following Barcelona’s 5-3 loss to Villarreal at the Montjuic Stadium on Saturday.
Despite Barcelona overcoming a two-goal deficit and momentarily leading 3-2, they eventually conceded an equaliser near full time. Villarreal then scored twice more, significantly diminishing Barcelona’s chances of retaining their La Liga title.
According to RAC1, president Joan Laporta convened a meeting with the sporting department after the final whistle to “analyse” the situation.
Xavi was subsequently called to meet Laporta and eventually appeared for his post-match press conference about an hour and a half after the defeat, which left Barcelona trailing bitter rival Real Madrid by 10 points in the league standings.
“Before you ask me the pertinent questions, I want to announce that from June 30, I will not continue as Barca coach,” Xavi revealed.
“We’ve been talking about it with Laporta and with the sporting area, and as a Culer, I think the club needs a change of dynamic,” the legendary midfielder explained.
“As a Culer, thinking about the club and the players, I think they will be freed up and calmer. Thinking as a club man, I think the best thing to do is to leave on June 30.
“That said, I’ll give it my all the remaining four months. I think we can have a good season and hopefully the dynamic will change,” Xavi insisted.
“I love the president very much, both him and [Vice President] Rafa [Yuste], Alejandro, and [Sporting Director] Deco,” Xavi went on.
“Their confidence until today was full but it’s time. I’m not moved by economic situations; I’m moved by the heart and I think it’s the best situation for the club.
“I don’t want to be a problem. We played a totally unfortunate game and it’s time for a change of direction for the players, who don’t deserve it.
“It was a blow to see how they beat you in a match that you had come back from. I don’t remember a match as cruel as today’s in my career,” Xavi claimed.
“We need a change of course for the good of the club and this will de-escalate the situation surrounding Barca,” he suggested.
This surprising turn of events coincides with reports from Cadena SER suggesting that Thiago Motta is being considered as a potential successor to Xavi, who has held the coaching position since November 2021.
While it seems that the German coach is leaning towards taking a sabbatical, having previously stepped down from the managerial role at Liverpool in the summer, there is speculation about Jurgen Klopp being Laporta’s ideal choice, as SPORT highlighted before the weekend.