Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Xavi announced the decision on Saturday after Barcelona lost 5-3 at home to Villarreal, a result which left them 10 points off La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Barca lost an eight-goal thriller as Villarreal struck twice deep into stoppage time.
Xavi said, “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave.
“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”.
Defeat leaves defending champions Barcelona third in the La Liga title race, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid and eight points off Girona in second.
The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder was appointed Barca manager in November 2021 after leaving Qatari side Al Sadd.
He guided them to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022-23.
