Barcelona manager Xavi has announced that he will be stepping down from his role at the Catalan club at the end of the season, one year before his contract is officially set to expire.
Xavi, whose full name is Xavier Hernández Creus, has been in charge at The Nou Camp since November 2021.
Confirming his decision, Xavi said: “I’ve been a man of the club. I’ve prioritised it above even myself. I’ve given everything I have.
“And I will continue to do so to make the fans feel proud.
“I think the club needs a change of dynamic. For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension.
“For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change.
“This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing.”
Xavi went on to add that managing the club had taken a toll on him personally, particularly with regard to his mental health. “In Barcelona, you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works.
“From a mental-health level, it’s tough too. I am a positive guy, but the battery levels keep running out – and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.
“I wouldn’t change my decision even if I won the Champions League. I will tell the players tomorrow. I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.
“I’m not driven by financial matters, but by my heart. I think it’s the best thing for the club.
“I don’t want to be a problem, but a solution, and I believe that between now and June I can still be a solution,” he said.
