Thomas Tuchel branded a 'disgrace' for comment he made after Xavi's Barcelona exit confirmed

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has been called a 'disgrace' for comments he made after Xavi confirmed he would be leaving Barcelona.

Xavi announced his decision to step down at the end of this season following Barcelona's 5-3 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday evening.

The result leaves them 11 points off current La Liga leaders Girona and 10 behind bitter rivals Real Madrid.

"I want to announce that on June 30, I will no longer continue as the coach at Barca," Xavi declared.

"I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer [Barcelona fan], I cannot allow the current situation.

"And mostly as a cul, thinking about the club and the players as well, I think they will feel more free, they will be calmer.

"I think we play with too much tension. It's for the benefit of the board, of the club. As a cul, as a club person, I believe the best thing is to leave on June 30. Of course, I will give all I have in the four months left."

Speculation surrounding who will fill Xavi's role has intensified over the weekend.

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Tuchel discussed wanting to manage abroad again during a fan event on Sunday. He's previously enjoyed a spell in France with Paris Saint-Germain and England with Chelsea.

"Moving abroad would appeal to me again," the 50-year-old admitted. "Spain has an extraordinary league. From my perspective, and based on my experience working with Spaniards, they are characterised by a tremendous amount of self-confidence.

"When you speak with Spanish players, I quickly get the sense that you are engaging with the person."

Bayern are currently second in the Bundesliga, two points adrift of unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

Tuchel managed to win the Bundesliga last season, pipping Borussia Dortmund to the title on the final day. He's still under pressure at the Allianz Arena and former Bayern midfielder Didi Hamann was less than pleased by Tuchel's claims.

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"He sits down and talks about Xavi, about the successor and that he would like to train in Barcelona or Spain. That's a disgrace!' Hamann vented to Sky Germany per Bild.

"He (Tuchel) is a very intelligent man, something like that doesn't just slip out of his mouth. Only he has to know one thing: If you are an employee of Bayern, taking on the management - that is rarely a good idea.

"When I look at the last three home games, it's subpar by Bayern Munich's standards. Against three teams that are at the bottom, that's not enough."