Xavi Hernandez to Step Down as Barcelona Coach at End of Season

Xavi has confirmed he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the current La Liga season. His side suffered a shock 5-3 loss to Villarreal on Saturday. “I want to announce that on June 30 I will not continue as coach of Barcelona," the former Spain international said. “I decided a few days ago, but I think it's time. The club needs a change of dynamic."

‘Can’t allow things to go on like this’ - Xavi announces he will leave Barcelona at end of season
Xavi confirmed in the immediate aftermath of their shock loss to Villarreal that he would be stepping down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.
The former Spain international went into the game under pressure after an indifferent run of form from his side, but things looked set to ease after Barca rallied from two down to lead 3-2.
But Villarreal turned the match around and scored twice in stoppage time to seal a shock win.

And in the aftermath, Xavi made the stunning announcement that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
“I want to announce that on June 30 I will not continue as coach of Barcelona," the club legend said. “I decided a few days ago, but I think it's time. The club needs a change of dynamic."
Xavi continued to explain his decision to leave the club.

“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.

“I think this decision will help unblocking the team and the mood in here. I just told the president [Joan] 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.”
Xavi added: “In Barcelona, you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated — that’s how the club works. From a mental health level, it’s tough too.

“I’m a positive guy but the battery levels keep running out — and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.”

Barca’s latest defeat leaves them 10 points adrift of La Liga leaders Real Madrid and in third place behind Girona, with their hopes of retaining the title quickly diminishing.

Xavi threatened to “pack his bags” following Barca's 4-1 defeat to Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup two weeks ago.
The 44-year-old said he would not hesitate to resign from the club he used to captain if he no longer felt that his players were behind him.
In their current poor run of form, Barca lost 4-2 to Athletic Club as they crashed out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday.

Xavi was appointed manager in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman in the dugout.

In his first full season in charge, he guided Barca to their first league title since 2019.

However, under Xavi's stewardship, Barca suffered back-to-back UEFA Champions League eliminations while also exiting the UEFA Europa League at the quarter-final stage and knockout play-off round respectively.

Only Lionel Messi [778] made more appearances than Xavi's 767 as a Barcelona player.