Barcelona board meets with Xavi Hernandez and the squad

Xavi Hernandez will step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season on his own initiative despite having another year left on his contract - and an optional second. The news was announced late on Saturday night, when the tactician himself announced it after a meeting with Joan Laporta that postponed the press conference following their 3-5 defeat to Villarreal in La Liga matchday 22.

The players found out about it, as did the fans, through the appearance of their boss in front of journalists. On Sunday morning, thanks to the local press, the club's board could be seen at the training complex to talk to the manager and the squad. It is quite likely that their aim was to explain the situation to the players and to outline how the next few months will unfold.

Marc Fuster, from 'La Sexta', and Victor Navarro, a regular reporter on what happens in Barcelona, captured the arrival of the 'Cule' president at the facilities. He was in the passenger seat of a white car and, through the window, it could be seen that he had his mobile phone glued to his ear. Given the turmoil at the Catalan club these days, every detail has been taken into account by the media.

Barcelona's board is made up of Joan Laporta, Rafa Yuste, Joan Soler, Deco, Enric Masip and Bojan Krkic. Between them, they decided to meet with the squad and Xavi in their first choral meeting after the coach's resignation.