TheCable

Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season.

The Spanish coach made his decision known during his post-match interview after Barcelona were beaten 5-3 at home by Villarreal on Saturday night.

Barcelona had come from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead but the Catalan side subsequently conceded thrice to lose the entertaining encounter.

🚨 Xavi: “I will leave Barcelona in June”.

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“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

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“I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change,” Xavi said after the game.

“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.”

The 44-year-old said his team plays with tension and it is best that the club dynamic changes in his absence.

“I think the club needs a change of dynamic. For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension,” he said.

“For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change. This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing.”

Despite being 10 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, Barcelona remain in the UEFA Champions League and Xavi said he would still leave even if his team wins the European title.

“I wouldn’t change my decision even if I won the Champions League. I will tell the players tomorrow. I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now,” he said.

“I’m not driven by financial matters, but by my heart. I think it’s the best thing for the club.

“I don’t want to be a problem, but a solution, and I believe that between now and June I can still be a solution.”

The former Al Sadd coach said his announcement will give the club stakeholders time to adjust and that he will keep fighting until he leaves.

Xavi joined the club as manager in November 2021. He has won the Spanish La Liga and Super Cup in his two years at Barcelona.