Xavi Hernandez has a tense relationship with several Barcelona stars, a fresh report has claimed.
The Spaniard announced that he will step down as Barca coach at the end of the season, despite his contract set to expire in the summer of 2025.
The former Barcelona skipper and midfield icon insisted the club needed a “change of direction” and that he could “not allow the situation to continue”. He called the decision “common sense” and said that, “as a Barcelona fan”, he felt that leaving was “the right thing”.
“You often feel there is a lack of respect, you feel that your work is not appreciated,” Xavi explained. “It wears you down terribly, in terms of health, of mental health, your mood, your emotional state.
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“I am a positive guy but the energy goes down, down, down, until the point at which you say: it makes no sense. It makes no sense to continue. That’s how I explain it.
“I decided it some time ago; the people closest to me know. It’s a situation that I think affects the club now. It affects me but when it affects the club I think I have to leave.”
Xavi confirmed the news following a 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal, which left them 10 points behind table toppers Real Madrid.
Barcelona were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey after a 4-2 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in midweek and fell to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month.
And amid the run of poor results the Athletic claim that privately multiple dressing room heavyweights, including Robert Lewandowski, had not always “maintained a positive relationship” with Xavi.
Announcing his imminent departure Xavi added: “The situation needs to change and as a cule [a Barcelona fan] I can’t allow this.
“I took this decision days ago, but it is time to make it public. I don’t want to be a problem for the club. [I am] thinking about the club, the good of the players, and the directors.
“As a club man, I think the best thing to do is go on 30 June. I will give my best in these four months; I still think we can complete a great season. I take this decision calmly; it’s common sense.”