“I would like to announce that on June 30, I will no longer continue as Barça coach. I think the situation needs to change course and, as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation”. With his words, Xavi announced, Saturday evening after his team’s defeat against Villarreal (5-3), his departure from FC Barcelona at the end of the season.
The reactions were, logically, very strong. The Barcelona locker room was in shock, since no one expected it. To the point where some players like Gavi and Cancelo even cried according to the local press. And this Monday, several Spanish media revealed new details on the coach’s departure. Via Sport, we learn in particular that the former midfielder had already made his decision weeks ago. During a meeting between friends and members of his family on January 17, for example, he had already communicated to them his desire to leave his post.
Joan Laporta knew it at the very last moment
This is a well-considered decision and not one made on a whim. However, he was waiting to find the right moment to announce it, and this announcement came faster than expected, since he did not intend to communicate his choice so early. For his part, Relevo says a little more about the hours leading up to this announcement. Xavi gathered with his staff at the final whistle of Saturday’s match, and they decided, collectively, that the time had come. Only, Joan Laporta was not aware of this! Xavi asked to speak with his president to tell him the news just before it was made public!
During an emergency meeting in the stadium corridors, the president tried to convince Xavi to change his mind. Without success. And so it was an hour and a half after the final whistle that the former Barça and La Roja player announced his decision at a press conference. We also learn that Xavi will leave his post at the end of June by waiving the salary from this additional year of contract that he still had. Until then, there are still titles to be found!
