Xavi to leave Barca after Villarreal humiliates Catalonia giant at home
It wasn't just Saturday's result against Villarreal, which ended in a painful 3-5 defeat at home that leaves FC Barcelona 10 points behind Real Madrid in the table.
Xavi Hernandez had been keeping composure for months amid a slew of negative results that included losing the Spanish Supercup, the Copa del Rey, and the results in La Liga.
At last and after trying to keep the team together, the Barça coach and club legend decided to make the announcement.
Xavi Hernandez announced he is not going to continue coaching his beloved Barcelona next season. He is leaving by the end of the current season. A statement came straight out of his mouth right after the loss against Villarreal at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Right after losing 3-5 against Villarreal at home, Hernandez headed to the press room to speak to all the media members about the team's result and current situation. The announcement was quick, he didn't hesitate to say it as he placed the team's well-being above anything else. Xavi said: "I would like to announce that I won't continue as the club's coach from June 30. We have been talking about this. I believe this situation deserves a change of course and as a Culer, I can't allow this situation to continue. The decision was made a few days ago. Judging from this result, I believe it's the right moment to say this.
"The club needs a change of dynamic. Thinking about the club and the players... they play under far too much pressure. It's best if I leave. I will always give my best with what I have left. I still believe we can complete a great season," said Xavi as soon as he entered the room. A decision that comes right at the peak of criticism not only against him but against Barcelona as an institution. Hernandez arrived at the club on November 6, 2021, and will not be able to complete three full seasons.
During that time, he won the 2022-23 La Liga and the Spanish Supercup in the same season. During the questions segment, Marca asked Xavi if hypothetically winning the Champions League could make him change his mind. Xavi said no, his decision was made.
Barcelona were shunned at home on Saturday after they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat against Villarreal at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday.
Alex Baena struck home after just three minutes of play but the offside flag was correctly raised, but it was a warning sign for Barcelona, who have been guilty of conceding early in recent games.
Chances arrived for both sides, with Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal both denied by Filip Jorgensen, and former Barcelona starlet Ilias Akhomach proving to be a danger for the Yellow Submarines.
Gerard Moreno thought he had given Villarreal a shock lead after 34 minutes at Montjuic but after a VAR review, the goal was chalked off as Alexander Sorloth was deemed to be interfering with play.
But the Spain international would get his well-deserved goal just before the interval to hand Villarreal the lead after smashing home from inside the penalty area.
Desperate to turn things around, Xavi made a triple change at the break, bringing on Pedri, Joao Cancelo, and Pau Cubarsi for Hector Fort, Andreas Christensen and Oriol Romeu.
But things would get worse before they improved for the hosts, who found themselves 2-0 down 54 minutes after former La Masia alum Akhomach pounced on a horrific error from Cancelo to round Inaki Pena and score.
Xavi then hooked Joao Felix for Ferran Torres and the Spaniard made an instant impact, playing a part in the build-up as Robert Lewandowski set up Ilkay Gundogan to pull one back on the hour mark.
The goal sparked Barca into life and only eight minutes later, Pedri reprised the role of super sub as he squeezed a low effort into the bottom corner to level things up at 2-2 before Eric Bailly's own goal handed the home side an unlikely 3-2 lead.
But with victory finally in their hands, Goncalo Guedes powered a low drive into the corner following a quick counterattack with six minutes to go.
Barcelona were dramatically awarded a penalty in stoppage time with Jorge Cuenca penalised, but after a lengthy review, VAR correctly overturned the decision.
And in the 100th minute, Sorloth stabbed home to stun the home fans, before Jose Luis Morales added further insult to injury to bring the curtain down on a surreal second half.
