Barça manager Xavi Hernández: 'I would like to come back, but we need a break'

The manager of the Barça men's team appeared at a press conference on Saturday after being sacked yesterday by the club's president, Joan Laporta. He showed understanding and the desire to return to the club.

He said it had been a difficult time, but added that he was leaving grateful to the club and its leaders. "I am a man of consensus, of the club, and I have adapted to all the difficulties," he said. 

He also listed the titles he has won with the club,  "I leave proud", he said. 

Answering questions from the press, he also said that he would like to return to the club, although he needs a break.

"I hope we can come back and work for the club of our lives," he said. 

As for his dismissal, he said it would be better to ask club officials. 

"They made this decision with the club in mind because it needs a change of direction. I can only accept and respect this. Until now I was motivated, excited, confident with the team, but it could not be," he said. 

He has also promised to facilitate the termination of his contract because he is aware of the club's financial difficulties.

Barça's president sacked Xavi Hernández on Friday, the day before the women's team played in the Champions League final. This drew criticism from the press and fans as it overshadowed the women's final.

Long way

Hernández will not continue leading the Barça men's team from next season after several u-turns in the last months, where he announced his plan to step down and then backtracked on his words.

At the time, Barça president Joan Laporta celebrated Xavi's decision as a way for stability to prevail however, on Friday, Laporta told Hernández the decision himself, accompanied by the sports vice president Rafa Yuste, sports director Anderson Luís de Souza, 'Deco,' as well as the manager's team: Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.

In a statement, Barça "thank Xavi for his work as the head coach, which adds up to a unique path as a player and a team captain," the text reads before saying that the club "wishes the best of luck."

Xavi Hernández's last game as the head coach of FC Barcelona will be on Sunday in Seville. Meanwhile, the club will announce "in the upcoming days" the team's new structure.