Xavi Hernández announces he will leave Barcelona at end of season after 5-3 loss

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Xavi’s position has been under the spotlight as the La Liga champions have fallen behind Real Madrid and Girona at the top of the table.

Following Saturday’s 5-3 home defeat by Villarreal, Xavi confirmed his departure in the post-match press conference, saying: “I want to announce that on 30 June I will no longer continue as the coach at Barça. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer [Barça fan], I cannot allow the current situation to continue.”

Xavi continued: “It is a decision that I have made with the president [Joan Laporta], with [vice-president] Rafa Yuste, with [sporting director] Deco. I think the club needs a change of dynamic. For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension.

“For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change. This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing. I wouldn’t change my decision even if I won the Champions League. I will tell the players tomorrow. I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.”

Xavi feels his decision will allow the team and club to move forward positively into the rest of the campaign, which will also see them in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“This de-escalates the general situation,” he said. “Until today, good work has been done, but I think that the project, as a coach, is until 30 June. This will remove tension. I have made the decision for days, and in a way, I have freed myself, but I don’t want to be a hindrance.

“I have always wanted to be a solution for Barça, as I was two years and three months ago – but thinking with my heart, I think it is best to leave office on 30 June. I thank the president for his trust. All this will de-escalate the general situation.”

Barcelona were stunned as they conceded goals to Villarreal’s Alexander Sørloth and José Luis Morales deep into stoppage time in a rollercoaster La Liga clash that was marked by more VAR controversy.

One week after the match between Real Madrid and Almeria included several controversial refereeing decisions that made the headlines, another two debatable VAR rulings in key moments of the match in Barcelona sparked furore.

Barça were in control with 70% possession, but it was Villarreal who opened up a two-goal lead with goals from Moreno in the 41st minute and Ilias Akhomach 13 minutes later. But Barcelona fought back in an 11-minute spell through strikes by Ilkay Gündogan on the hour and Pedri eight minutes later before an own goal from Eric Bailly, who was trying to clear Frenkie de Jong’s free kick in the 71st minute.

However, Villarreal responded as Sørloth started another quick counter attack with a great long pass to Gonçalo Guedes, who collected the ball in his stride before firing home to equalise in the 84th minute.

Barça went on the attack and were awarded a penalty for a Santi Comesaña handball in the 90th minute. However, after a VAR check the referee changed his decision despite the video replay clearly showing the ball had hit his elbow. With Barça pushing for a winner their defence was exposed and Sørloth and Morales struck to secure the points.

“In the end I am going to be sanctioned, I don’t care, you analyse it yourselves, I don’t want to generate more controversy,” Xavi said. “No excuses but that [Comesaña penalty incident] decides the match. The fourth official told me it was a clear penalty. Munuera went to the monitor and said no. I don’t want to talk any more, there are the images.

“The normal thing was that we would have won 4-2 but when you leave the rival alive that is what happens ... We had it in our hands and it’s slipped away from us.”