Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez announced that he will leave his position at the end of the season after his underperforming squad was defeated 5-3 by Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.
“On June 30 I will leave the club, it’s a decision I have taken with the president, with the staff,” he told reporters.
Champions Barcelona, third in the league, are 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid, with their title defence almost done.
Following Athletic Bilbao’s elimination from the Copa del Rey this week and Madrid’s thumping in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier in January, Xavi stated that he took the decision for the club’s sake.
“I’ve thought about the club … and above all the players,” he stated.
“I feel like I’m doing the right thing and acting with common sense.
“I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is very negative.”
Xavi, who took over in November 2021, guided Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup and league title last season, building his club around a solid defense.
However, they are vulnerable at the defense this season, as evidenced by Barcelona conceding five goals at home in La Liga on Saturday for the first time since 1963.
Xavi stated that even if Barcelona won the Champions League, he would not change his mind about staying.
The 44-year-old coach expressed confidence that his team might win titles this season.
“With this new dynamic, I am feeling more optimistic than ever…” We’ll go for La Liga; it will be difficult, but we’ll fight,” he said.
“I have not spoken to the players about it, I saw how down they were today and I will talk to them tomorrow, and that’s one of the reasons for it.”