Xavi will step down as Barcelona’s head coach at the end of the season. He announced the decision after Barcelona fell 5-3 at home to Villarreal, surrendering twice in extra time at the Nou Camp.
The loss puts them 10 points behind La Liga leader Real Madrid. Girona is also ahead of them in second with 52 points.
“I want to announce that on June 30, I will no longer continue as the coach at Barca,” Xavi said.
Why is Xavi leaving Barcelona?
Barcelona Transfer woes
Barcelona has found means to make additional deals, but according to ARA, they have massive transfer debts. The Blaugrana are expected to spend just under €90 million (£78 million/$95 million) over the next 12 months, with an additional €120 million (£104 million/$127 million) to pay out to Leeds, City, Bayern Munich, and Sevilla after that.
Barcelona is poised to pay Ajax €16 million (£14 million/$17 million) for Frenkie de Jong, while tiny sums remain outstanding on transactions for Neto Muraua, Jean-Clair Todibo, Emerson Royal, Junior Firpo, and Miralem Pjanic. In the instance of Pjanic, the Catalan team must transmit funds to four separate clubs.
Confidence
Xavi has revealed that Barcelona is experiencing a confidence issue following the shocking Champions League defeat at Antwerp.
The Belgians, who were making their debut in the competition this season, had lost all five of their first five Group H games.
But goals from Arthur Vermeeren, Vincent Janssen, and George Ilenikhena in stoppage time gave them a stunning 3-2 victory over the Spanish giants in the last round of fixtures.
Barcelona had already qualified as group winners, but another dismal outcome, coming so soon after Girona’s defeat in La Liga on Sunday, will only add to the manager’s present criticism.