Xavi has announced he will leave his position as Barcelona head coach at the end of the current campaign.
The club’s former captain and midfield icon confirmed the news following Saturday’s 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal — a result which left the side ten points off La Liga leaders Real Madrid and eight from Catalan neighbours Girona.
It was a result which added to the 4-1 Spanish Supercopa final defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month and comes days after Barcelona exited the Copa del Rey following a quarter-final loss at Athletic Bilbao.
Xavi, 44, was appointed as Barcelona managed in November 2021 as the permanent successor to Ronald Koeman, and guided the club to the title in La Liga in his first full season in charge of the club.
However, he also oversaw the club’s elimination in back-to-back Champions League group stage campaigns and Barcelona also struggled in the Europa League, losing their quarter-final against Frankfurt in 2022 and in the knockout playoff round against Manchester United the following campaign.
Barcelona did progress through their Champions League group stage this campaign but it was marked by disappointing defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp, while the team have not been able to replicate their strong form that saw them secure the league title in 2022-23.
The club were defeated the first El Clasico of the season at home to Real Madrid, while Barcelona were also recently defeated 4-2 at home to high-flying Catalan neighbours Girona.
