Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has confirmed he will leave his role at the end of the season.
Xavi to leave Barcelona in summerCoach makes shock decisionSays it's the best decisionWHAT HAPPENED?
Xavi confirmed at a press conference that he will leave his role at the end of the season. The Barca boss spoke after seeing his team beaten 5-3 at home by Villarreal in La Liga. The result leaves the defending La Liga champions 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
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Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Barcelona boss said, "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."
“I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public. I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”
“Right now, if I think with my head and think about the club, the solution and the best thing is for me to leave in June, that is how I feel. We have just agreed that with the president (Joan Laporta). We have a president who is brilliant. Him, Rafa Yuste, (sporting director), Deco…everyone is really capable.
“I think this decision will help unblocking the team and the mood in here. I just told the president Laporta now. We’ve had a meeting, it was a very human conversation, just with common sense. The trust from them is still fantastic.
“But I believe this is the moment to say this. 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.”
Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE
There has been speculation over Xavi's future at the club in recent weeks after the club lost 4-1 against rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and then bowed out of the Copa del Rey following a humiliating 4-2 defeat against Athletic Club. With the loss against Villarreal on Saturday, the Catalan giants have now leaked nine goals in their last two games.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
The reigning Spanish champions, who are currently 10 points behind league leaders Girona after Saturday's result, will aim to bounce back on Wednesday as they take on Osasuna. Joan Laporta and Co. must also now start the search for a new manager.