Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season.
As the La Liga champions lag behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona, Xavi’s position is attracting attention.
After Saturday’s 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, Xavi confirmed his departure in the post-match press conference, saying: “I would like to announce that as of June 30th, I will be retiring from my role as manager at Barça. I believe that the situation needs to change direction. culler [Barça fan]We cannot allow the current situation to continue as it is. ”
Xavi continued: “This is a decision that I took together with the president.” [Joan Laporta]and [vice-president] with Rafa Juste [sporting director] Deco. I think there needs to be a change in the dynamics at the club. I believe they will free themselves for the sake of the players. We play with a lot of tension.
“It is in the best interests of the board for me to resign. Even if we win the Champions League, I will not change my decision. I will tell the players tomorrow. The players can finally be free because I am the most responsible. I think.”
Xavi feels that his decision will allow the team and the club to move forward positively for the remainder of the season and potentially qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
“This will ease the overall situation,” he said. “I’ve done a good job up until today, but as a coach I think this project ends on June 30th. This relieves the tension. I took a lot of days to make the decision and in a way released myself. But I don’t want to get in the way.
“Just like I was two years and three months ago, I always wanted to be a solution for Barça, but from the bottom of my heart I think it is best for me to leave on June 30th. We appreciate the confidence of the president. All of this will calm down the overall situation.”
In a rollercoaster La Liga clash that sparked more VAR controversy, Barcelona were stunned by Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth and Jose Luis Morales, who conceded goals late in stoppage time.
A week after several controversial refereeing decisions in the Real Madrid vs. Almeria match made headlines, two more controversial VAR decisions at key moments of the match caused an uproar in Barcelona. .
Barça were in control with 70% of possession, but Villarreal extended their lead to two with goals from Moreno in the 41st minute and Ilias Ahomach 13 minutes later. However, Barcelona hit back with a goal from Ilkay Gundogan in the 11th minute, followed by Pedri eight minutes later and in the 71st minute when Eric Bailly, attempting to clear a free-kick by Frenkie de Jong, converted his own goal. decided.
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Villarreal, however, responded with another quick counter-attack from Sorloth, who played a nice long pass to Gonzalo Guedes, who strode to pick up the ball and fire home a shot to level the score in the 84th minute.
Barça continued to attack, but in the 90th minute they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Santi Comesaña. However, after a VAR check, the referee changed his decision despite video replays showing that the ball had hit the elbow. Barça’s defense was exposed as they looked for a winner, with goals from Saarlos and Morales securing the points.
Xavi said: “Eventually I will be sanctioned, but I don’t care. I want you to analyze it yourself. I don’t want to stir up any more controversy.” “There is no other excuse. [Comesaña penalty incident] decides the match. A fourth official told me this was a clear penalty. Munuela turned to the monitor and said no. There are images that I don’t want to talk about anymore.
“Normally we would have won 4-2, but this is what happens when you keep a rival alive…We had it and it slipped away from us.”
