Xavi left Barca at the end of the season.

Spain: Following the 3-5 home defeat to Villarreal in La Liga's 22nd round, coach Xavi confirmed he will leave Barca at the end of the 2023-2024 season.

Xavi – who recently signed a new contract until 2025 – said he had decided on his future before yesterday's Villarreal match. The Spanish coach informed President Joan Laporta, Vice President Rafa Yuest, and Director of Football Deco, stating that this was the best decision for the club at this time.

"I want to announce that I will not be continuing as Barca manager after this season," Xavi said in a press conference after the 3-5 defeat to Villarreal in La Liga's 22nd round. "I made the decision a few days ago, but I think now is the time to announce it. The club needs a change in momentum. As a Barca fan, thinking about the best interests of the club and the players, I think this is the right decision."

Coach Xavi leaves the pitch after yesterday's match against Villarreal in round 22 of La Liga. Photo: AFP

The 44-year-old coach emphasized that one of the main reasons for this decision was his love for Barca. He didn't want to become a problem, but rather a solution for Barca, as he did two years ago. He also hoped that the decision to leave the club would reduce tension, giving the dressing room, staff, and players more space to change their motivation. Xavi affirmed that he would continue to fight with the team in La Liga and the Champions League until the end of the season, and that winning titles would not change his decision.

Xavi also hinted at his decision to leave Barca due to pressure from the media. "You've asked me many times if I want to become the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barca. The truth is, that will never happen here," the 44-year-old coach stated. "You won't 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 Spanish coach has managed 122 matches, losing 26, drawing 21, and winning 75, achieving a win rate of 61.48% and winning two titles - La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.

Xavi is under immense pressure as Barca have lost two trophies in two weeks. The Catalan club lost 1-4 to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on January 14th, then lost 2-4 to Bilbao in extra time in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals earlier this week. Yesterday's 3-5 defeat to Villarreal has also dashed Barca's hopes of winning La Liga, allowing Real Madrid to extend their lead to ten points.

According to Cadena SER , Thiago Motta – who impressed by helping Bologna finish seventh in Serie A – is on the list of potential replacements for Xavi. Meanwhile, SPORT reports that Jurgen Klopp is a "dream choice" for president Laporta, following the German coach's announcement of leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Xavi was born in the city of Terrassa, Catalonia, in 1980. He played for the Terrassa youth academy from the age of four and moved to Barca at the age of 11. Since then, Xavi spent 24 years with Barca as a player, winning 25 professional titles, including four Champions League titles. He was also a mainstay of Spain's midfield during their golden age, winning two European Championships and one World Cup.

In 2015, Xavi moved to Al Sadd before retiring at the age of 39. He took over as manager of Al Sadd immediately after hanging up his boots, leading the team to seven titles, before returning to Barca in a new role in November 2021.

Hong Duy

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