SHOCKING NEWS: coming from Fabrizio Romano, Addressing the press, Barcelona manager Xavi recently gave some insight into his decision to vacate his position as the club’s coach at the end of the ongoing season. He said “the board and the fans really made the coaching Job really cruel and unpleasant for me. It makes me feel worthless on a daily basis. Pep [Guardiola] had already told me; I saw Luis Enrique suffer. But I will do my best the remaining day of me as head coach here”.
Barcelona manager Xavi recently addressed the media, shedding light on his decision to step down from his coaching role at the end of the current season. The 44-year-old Spaniard emphasized the need for a change of scenery at Blaugrana as the primary factor influencing his departure. The reigning Spanish champions have endured a disappointing 2023-24 season, suffering losses in the Copa Del Rey and Spanish Supercup. In the league, Xavi’s team has garnered only 47 points in 22 games, placing them a significant 10 points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Amid mounting pressure, Xavi surprised many by announcing his departure after Barcelona’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in the league. Contrary to common perception, Xavi clarified that unmet expectations and his belief in the necessity for a shift motivated his decision, refuting claims of press and mental fatigue as the driving factors.
Xavi elaborated on the pressures of managing Barcelona, citing unfulfilled expectations and the demanding nature of the job. He rejected the notion that his decision was solely based on media scrutiny and mental exhaustion. The Barcelona legend expressed that even successful managers like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique faced uncertainty over their future during their stints at the club.
Despite Barcelona’s lackluster performance this season, they remain active in the Champions League. While winning the prestigious European trophy could redeem the season for Xavi, securing the UCL title presents a formidable challenge. Barcelona is set to face Napoli in the round of 16 of the competition.
Pep Guardiola, a certified Blaugrana legend, echoed Xavi’s sentiments about the challenges of managing Barcelona. The Manchester City manager, in a recent press conference, defended his former teammate, emphasizing the immense pressure unique to the Spanish club. Guardiola, who himself enjoyed immense success at Barcelona, winning two Champions Leagues and achieving a historic sextuple-winning season in 2009, took a sabbatical after leaving the club. Notably, few managers in this century have managed to endure more than three years at the helm of Barcelona, highlighting the demanding nature of the position.
