Xavi To Quit As Barcelona Manager At End Of Season

Xavi revealed the decision following Barcelona's 5-3 home loss to Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.

The result left the Blaugrana in third place, ten points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman as Barcelona manager in November 2021 and won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga title in his first full season in charge.

This season, things have been more difficult, with Barcelona beaten by Real Madrid 4-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this month. On Wednesday, they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey following a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after the Villarreal defeat, the Barcelona boss said, "I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It's time for change. As a Culé, I think that it's time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June."

“I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public. I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”

“Right now, if I think with my head and think about the club, the solution and the best thing is for me to leave in June, that is how I feel. We have just agreed that with the president (Joan Laporta). We have a president who is brilliant. Him, Rafa Yuste, (sporting director), Deco…everyone is really capable.

“I think this decision will help unblocking the team and the mood in here. I just told the president Laporta now. We’ve had a meeting, it was a very human conversation, just with common sense. The trust from them is still fantastic.

“But I believe this is the moment to say this. I don’t make my decisions following money, my contract will never be a problem. I just make my choices following my heart. I don’t need anything more.”

Xavi's contract was due to expire in the summer of 2025.

Xavi won eight La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, three Copa del Reys among other honours during his time as a player at Barcelona.

He also won two European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.