Barcelona head coach Xavi has confirmed that he will leave his role at the end of the season.
The legendary midfielder announced his decision following a somewhat embarassing 5-3 home loss to Villarreal.
Barca sit third in La Liga, but are 10 points adrift of arch-rivals Real Madrid. The pressure has been mounting on Xavi, and he has confirmed his intention to depart the club at the end of the season.
Announcement
“I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barca. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation,” he announced after the game Villarreal via the club’s website.
“I’ve been a man of the club. I’ve prioritised it above even myself. I’ve given everything I have and I will continue to do so to make the fans feel proud.
“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.
“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.”
Xavi has been with the club since November 2021 when he left Qatari club Al-Sadd to make a much publicised return.
In his first full season last term he won La Liga, their first since Lionel Messi had left the club, and the Supercopa de Espana.
Search begins
But now Barcelona, like Liverpool who saw Jurgen Klopp announce his departure this week, are looking for a new head coach.
Barca will task sporting director Deco with finding their new boss but already names are being linked, including Klopp. The Premier League might very well be Deco’s hunting ground with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi also amongst those being mentioned already as possible successors.
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