Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, has announced his resignation at the end of the season.
After departing from Qatari club Al Sadd, the former midfield player for Barcelona and Spain assumed leadership in November 2021.
In his first full season in command, 2022–2023, he led Barca to the Spanish championship. However, following Saturday’s 5–3 home loss to Villarreal, they are now 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
“I’ve always been a club man. It has taken precedence over me even. “I’ve given it everything I’ve got,” Xavi declared.
“And I will continue to do so to make the fans feel proud.”
The 44-year-old, who still has one year left on his contract, will formally stand down on June 30 after an incredible playing career with Barcelona that saw him win 25 honors.
The 2010 World Cup winner stated he decided after speaking with vice president Rafa Yuste, sporting director Deco, and president Joan Laporta of Barcelona.
“I think the club needs a change of dynamic,” Xavi added. “I think the athletes will release themselves for their own benefit. We are very tense when we play.
“It is better that I step down for the benefit of the board of directors. I’ll do everything I can. All of it, in my opinion, will support the dynamic shift. This is the message I want to impart. I believe that what I am doing is correct.”
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Xavi threatened to “pack his bags” this month if his team lost confidence in him after losing the Spanish Super Cup to rival Real Madrid 4-1.
After winning back-to-back games, Barca lost to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to exit the Copa del Rey and fell farther behind Villarreal in the fight for the championship.
Xavi claims that his mental health has suffered as a result of his work and that it is now appropriate for him to take a break.
“In Barcelona, you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works,” he stated.
From a mental health perspective, it’s also difficult. I’m a pretty upbeat person, but eventually you realize there’s no point in hanging around when your energy keeps draining.”
In addition, Xavi believes that by making his exit known now, the situation will “de-escalate” for the remainder of the campaign, which includes a Champions League last-16 matchup with Napoli the following month.
Even if I were to win the Champions League, I wouldn’t go back on my choice. Tomorrow, I’ll let the guys know. The players will now feel free at last since I’m the most accountable one,” he continued.
I’m motivated by my emotions rather than money concerns. It’s the best thing for the club, in my opinion.
“I don’t want to be a problem, but a solution, and I believe that between now and June I can still be a solution.”
“I’m not sure if he will stay in management after this.”
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football analyst, provided analysis.
Xavi is first and foremost a passionate supporter of Barcelona and a competent, realistic analyzer of the circumstances at a team he has firsthand knowledge of.
Second, he is a manager who readied himself for the role of manager at Barcelona. I don’t think he could oversee anyone else. After this, I’m not sure if he will still be managing.
That was a pivotal point in his career at Barcelona as he had both of those things under control and had just won the league. And the club deprived him of authority rather than leveraging his stature to obtain it. He was left on his own after losing both the director of football, Mateu Alemany, and the sporting director, Jordi Cruyff.
Recall that Joan Laporta, the club president, did not select Xavi. When Laporta emerged victorious in the election, Xavi felt that the supporters had desired a past legend to lead the squad during a period of uncertainty and difficulty. Victor Font was Xavi’s second election opponent. He therefore gave it a shot.
He had hoped that Xavi would spend a year or two with the B squad, like Pep Guardiola did, but Xavi had responded, “No, I just wanted to be in the first team.” He never managed to convince Laporta.
After three years in command, the players ought to be at a different level. They all appear less put together than they did last season, and their individual styles are inconsistent. It will be up to Xavi to determine if the circumstances prevented him from succeeding or whether it was his own fault.
He doesn’t need to strive for success as a manager because he was a very successful player. Perhaps he wasn’t prepared for Barcelona if he doesn’t really want it. However, he will eventually need to analyze that.
