Xavi gives damning reason for decision to quit Barcelona job
Xavi has admitted he „feels worthless“ at Barcelona despite his significant achievements since returning to the club as head coach in late 2021, also revealing he thought even before this season began that it was likely to be his last in charge.
Xavi announced in the wake of Sunday’s calamitous defeat to Villarreal that he will step down at the end of the season, even though he signed a contract extension until 2025 just four months ago.
The 44-year-old expressed hope that new leadership will „help the dynamic change“ after a difficult season. He also described being Barcelona boss as a „cruel, unpleasant“ experience and a „terrible drain on your mental health.“
Now, speaking again ahead of Wednesday’s La Liga clash with Osasuna, Barca’s first game since the weekend’s shock revelation, Xavi refuted claims from critics about not being able to cope with pressure and elaborated on how feeling under-appreciated has left him worn down.
„I think that the work has not been valued enough and this causes wear and tear on me. This is my feeling. It is not because I can’t stand the pressure. We arrived at one of the most difficult moments in the history of the club,“ he explained, referring to the crippling financial problems.
„I made the decision [to leave] a long time ago. Our work is not valued enough. And at the beginning of the season I already thought it would be the last. I don’t rule out returning. Barca will have me for whatever they need, but now I think they don’t need me. I think work is not valued.
„That’s how I feel. It’s like that. They make you feel worthless every day. Speaking with Pep [Guardiola], he already told me that. It also happened with [Ernesto] Valverde. I saw Luis Enrique suffer. We have to reflect. We have a problem with the demands of this charge. It seems like you’re risking your life every moment. That’s why I say it’s cruel, it’s not enjoyable.“
Guardiola, spent four seasons in as Barcelona boss from 2008 until 2012, enjoying the club’s most successful period in their 125-year history. But he famously walked away to take a year-long break from football. Xavi had also suggested at the weekend that it is „impossible“ for a Barca coach to achieve what Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United, being in charge for 26 years.
Only three Barca bosses so far this century have made it to three years in the job.
|
Manager |
Hired |
Left |
Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Frank Rijkaard |
June 2003 |
June 2008 |
5 years |
|
Pep Guardiola |
June 2008 |
June 2012 |
4 years |
|
Luis Enrique |
May 2014 |
May 2017 |
3 years |
|
Ernesto Valverde |
May 2017 |
January 2020 |
2 years, 8 months |
|
Xavi |
November 2021 |
June 2024 |
2 years, 7 months |
|
Ronald Koeman |
August 2020 |
October 2021 |
1 year, 2 months |
|
Carles Rexach |
April 2001 |
May 2002 |
1 year, 1 month |
|
Tito Vilanova |
July 2012 |
July 2013 |
1 year |
|
Lorenzo Serra Ferrer |
May 2000 |
April 2001 |
11 months |
|
Gerardo Martino |
July 2013 |
May 2014 |
10 months |
|
Louis van Gaal |
May 2002 |
January 2003 |
8 months |
|
Quique Setien |
January 2020 |
August 2020 |
7 months |
|
Radomir Antic |
February 2003 |
June 2003 |
5 months |
List does not include interim coaches Antonio de la Cruz (2003) and Sergi Barjuan (2021)