Xavi Hernandez will no longer be at the dugout as Barcelona manager at the end of the season. The former player-turned-manager announced his decision to step down as the club's manager at the end of the season.
Xavi Hernandez's decision to quit his role at Barca in the next 6 months followed the club's shock home La Liga defeat to Villarreal on Saturday.
Villarreal scored three late goals to come from 3-2 down to a 5-3 victory. It was one of the club's worst La Liga matches. The defeat tanked up pressure on Xavi, who announced his decision to quit to calm frantic nerves and underground tensions due to his underwhelming with the club.
With Barcelona's difficult campaign this season, Xavi's decision must have apparently drowned rising tentacles of discontent on his performance from sections of the club's hierarchy. However, it is understood the 44-year-old took the decision as the pressure on his job came to the brim.
The former Al-Sadd manager will leave the Culers' dugout as an unhappy man. Speaking after announcing his imminent exit at the end of the summer, Xavi blasted the club for how they have handled and worked with managers so far.
When asked whether Barcelona will ever produce an Alex Ferguson (a long-term manager) of the club, Xavi replied candidly that the club is far off such prospects due to their impatience and pressure on their managers.
"You asked me many times that if I'd be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça... the truth is that it will NEVER happen here”.
“You guys won't allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult."
“You see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you."
While some members of the club's hierarchy continued keeping faith in Xavi, it is understood the AFC Champions League semifinalist came under heavy criticism when Barcelona's silverware hopes became remote.
Losing the Super Cup final to Real Madrid, knocked out of Copa Del Rey by Athletic Bilbao, and written off the La Liga and Champions League title race, Xavi had no option but to announce his imminent exit.
He has over one year left on his contract but is expected to leave, as per his submission, for a new manager at the end of the season.
Xavi Hernandez's decision to quit his role at Barca in the next 6 months followed the club's shock home La Liga defeat to Villarreal on Saturday.
Villarreal scored three late goals to come from 3-2 down to a 5-3 victory. It was one of the club's worst La Liga matches. The defeat tanked up pressure on Xavi, who announced his decision to quit to calm frantic nerves and underground tensions due to his underwhelming with the club.
With Barcelona's difficult campaign this season, Xavi's decision must have apparently drowned rising tentacles of discontent on his performance from sections of the club's hierarchy. However, it is understood the 44-year-old took the decision as the pressure on his job came to the brim.
The former Al-Sadd manager will leave the Culers' dugout as an unhappy man. Speaking after announcing his imminent exit at the end of the summer, Xavi blasted the club for how they have handled and worked with managers so far.
When asked whether Barcelona will ever produce an Alex Ferguson (a long-term manager) of the club, Xavi replied candidly that the club is far off such prospects due to their impatience and pressure on their managers.
"You asked me many times that if I'd be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça... the truth is that it will NEVER happen here”.
“You guys won't allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult."
“You see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you."
While some members of the club's hierarchy continued keeping faith in Xavi, it is understood the AFC Champions League semifinalist came under heavy criticism when Barcelona's silverware hopes became remote.
Losing the Super Cup final to Real Madrid, knocked out of Copa Del Rey by Athletic Bilbao, and written off the La Liga and Champions League title race, Xavi had no option but to announce his imminent exit.
He has over one year left on his contract but is expected to leave, as per his submission, for a new manager at the end of the season.