Xavi Hernández to Depart as FC Barcelona Coach at End of Season
FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández announces his decision to leave the club at the end of the current season, citing a desire to be a solution for the team. The Barça legend’s departure comes after a challenging period for the club.
FC Barcelona’s coach, Xavi Hernández, has declared that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of the current season. The announcement came after Barcelona’s tumultuous 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal, where they managed a comeback with goals from Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach.
Xavi Hernández communicated his decision to club president Joan Laporta, vice-president Rafa Yuste, and Sporting Director Deco during the post-game press conference at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The Barça legend emphasized his love for the club and expressed his desire to be a solution rather than a problem.
The coach stated, “I want to be a solution for Barça, as I was two years ago. I had taken this decision days ago, but today was the moment to announce it.” Xavi believes that FC Barcelona needs a change in direction, and his departure at the end of the season aims to ease the tension within the team and allow room for a dynamic shift.
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He clarified that his decision is not influenced by financial considerations, saying, “I don’t make my decisions following money. My contract will never be a problem. I just make my choices following my heart. I don’t need anything more.”
With four months remaining in the season, Xavi affirmed his commitment to giving his all and striving for silverware. Despite the team’s recent struggles, he expressed optimism about their chances in the league. However, he emphasized that even if they win a trophy, the decision to leave remains unchanged.
Xavi, appointed as manager in November 2021, led Barcelona to their first league title since 2019 in his inaugural full season. Yet, the team faced setbacks in UEFA competitions under his stewardship. The coach, who captained Barcelona as a player, assured that he would resign if he felt his players were no longer behind him.
As Girona maintains their lead in La Liga, Barça finds themselves 11 points behind. Xavi’s decision comes after Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey exit and a series of disappointing results.
–IANS