Spain After the 3-5 home loss to Villarreal in round 22 of La Liga, coach Xavi confirmed that he will leave Barca at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
Xavi - who has just signed a new contract until 2025 - said he had made a decision about his future before yesterday's match against Villarreal. The Spaniard informed President Joan Laporta, Vice President Rafa Yuest and Director of Football Deco and said it was the best decision for the club at the moment.
"I want to announce that I will not continue to lead Barca after this season," Xavi said at a press conference after the 3-5 loss to Villarreal in round 22 of La Liga. "I decided a few days ago, but I think now is the time to announce it. The club needs a change in dynamics. As a Barca fan, thinking of the best interests of the club and the players, I think this is the right decision."
Coach Xavi leaves the field after the Villarreal match in round 22 of La Liga yesterday. Photo: AFP
The 44-year-old coach stressed that one of the main reasons for this decision is his love for Barca. He does not want to be a problem, but a solution for Barca like two years ago, and hopes that the decision to leave the club will reduce tension, giving the dressing room, staff and players more space to change motivation. Xavi affirmed that he will continue to fight with the team in La Liga and the Champions League until the end of the season and winning the title will not change his decision.
Xavi also hinted that his decision to leave Barca was due to pressure from the media. "You asked me many times if I wanted to become the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barca. The truth is that it will never happen here," the 44-year-old coach said. "You will not allow that. Being a Barca coach is difficult. The criticism has had a heavy impact."
Barca appointed Xavi in November 2021, after sacking Ronald Koeman. In total, the Spaniard led 122 matches, lost 26, drew 21, won 75, achieved a win rate of 61.48% and won two titles - La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
Xavi has been under pressure as Barca have lost two trophies in two weeks. The Catalan club lost 1-4 to Real in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on January 14 and then lost 2-4 to Bilbao in extra time in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in midweek. Yesterday's 3-5 reverse to Villarreal also left Barca with little hope of winning La Liga, as Real widened the gap to ten points.
According to Cadena SER , Thiago Motta - who impressed in helping Bologna finish seventh in Serie A - is on the shortlist to replace Xavi. SPORT said Jurgen Klopp was a "dream choice" for president Laporta, after the German coach announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Xavi was born in the city of Terrassa, Catalonia in 1980. He played for the Terrassa academy from the age of four, and moved to Barca at 11. Since then, Xavi has been with Barca for 24 years as a player, winning 25 professional titles, including four Champions Leagues. He was also a mainstay of Spain's midfield during their golden era, winning two Euros and a World Cup.
In 2015, Xavi moved to Al Sadd, before retiring at the age of 39. He moved to coach Al Sadd immediately after hanging up his boots, helping the team win seven titles, then returned to Barca in a new position in November 2021.
Hong Duy
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