Xavi Hernández announces departure from Barça: 'I think it’s the moment'

FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández announced that he will step down at the end of the season.

“I would like to announce that on June 30, I will not continue as the coach of Barça,” a solemn Xavi announced at a press conference late Saturday night, after the club’s 5-3 loss at home to Villarreal in La Liga, their third in the last five games.

“I think the situation deserves a change of course, and as a Barça fan, I cannot allow this situation,” the coach added, “I think it’s the moment."

Currently, Barça are third in the table with 44 points, ten behind leaders Real Madrid, and eight behind Girona FC, a team that has surprised everyone this season.  

Despite the current situation, the team has “done a very good job,” Xavi expressed, stressing that he will “give it his all” in the remaining months of the season, which he believes still has the "potential to be a good one."    

Hernández was appointed manager of the Blaugrana in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman.