Xavi Hernandez has decided to part ways with Barcelona at the end of the current season, citing a "lack of respect" and mental fatigue as key factors in his departure. The announcement came shortly after Barcelona's 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in the Spanish league, leaving the team 10 points behind Real Madrid.
In a statement on Saturday, Xavi expressed his deep connection to Barcelona as a fan and emphasized the need for a change in direction and dynamics. He revealed that the decision to step down had been made several days ago and hoped that it would alleviate the stress and tension the team has been experiencing.
"The feeling of being the coach of Barcelona is cruel, it is unpleasant, you feel like you don’t get the respect you deserve," Xavi stated. "It wears you down, affects your mental health, your emotions, up to the point that you say you can’t go on. My loved ones know that."
Xavi returned to Barcelona as the coach in November 2021, securing the Spanish Super Cup title and the Spanish league title in his first season. Despite these achievements, the team has struggled in the current season, showing signs of a potential collapse.
The recent exit from the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against Athletic Bilbao and a significant loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup have highlighted Barcelona's challenges. Xavi, in assessing the team's performance, mentioned a lack of "maturity" among the players and emphasized the presence of several young talents in the squad.
Barcelona, led by Xavi, is now gearing up to face Napoli in the Champions League round of 16 next month. Despite the team's current struggles, Xavi expressed his motivation to lead Barcelona in a bid to end his tenure with a potential European Cup victory.
Xavi's departure marks the end of an era for Barcelona, and the club will now face the challenge of finding a new coach to guide them through the upcoming seasons.