Xavi announces he will leave Barcelona at end of season
The 44-year-old delivered the bombshell news immediately after the Blaugrana's 5-3 La Liga loss to Villarreal, which left the reigning champions 10 points behind Real Madrid in third place in the La Liga table.
Xavi's job had been under intense scrutiny for several weeks, and even though the Spaniard's contract is not due to expire until the end of next season, he will no longer be in charge of the Catalonian giants beyond the summer.
Having overseen a third loss from five games at the Barcelona helm, Xavi admitted to the press that the club would benefit from a change in direction, and he «cannot allow the current situation» as a lifelong fan.
«I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barça. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation,» Xavi told the media.
«This club needs a change of dynamic. Leaving Barca is the best decision possible for all parties involved. I'm the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.»
Barcelona welcomed Villarreal to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on the back of a humbling 4-2 extra-time defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey, while they were also battered 4-1 by Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month.
The Blaugrana fell two goals down in Saturday's game to Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach's efforts, but Xavi's side would seemingly pull off an astonishing comeback thanks to strikes from Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri, as well as an Eric Bailly own goal.
However, Goncalo Guedes drew Villarreal level again in the 84th minute, before a chaotic
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