Barcelona president opens up about Xavi’s resignation: “I accept his decision”

Following their 3-5 defeat against Villarreal yesterday night, Barcelona fans did not quite expect the bomb Xavi dropped on them. The coach announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, explaining that he had already made up his mind in December.

This came as a surprise to the players as much as the fans, who had repeatedly defended the gaffer publicly on every occasion, taking all responsibility for the collapse this season after winning La Liga last season.

Joan Laport has also finally taken to the press to talk about Xavi’s departure, being one of the very few people who knew about it from the get-go.

“Xavi informed me that he will leave at the end of the season. He wants to finish the season, and this is a formula that I accept because Xavi was the one who proposed it,” Laporta started off by saying.

“He is an essential element at Barcelona, ​​an honest person, who behaves with all dignity and is a person who loves Barcelona. I’m convinced I can accept it because his commitment will be complete.”

Laporta also commented on the club’s progress across the four competitions this season, having already lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid and being eliminated in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Athletic Club.

“The league is difficult, but of course, we have not lost yet, and we must fight to finish in the best possible position in the league without ruling out winning it. Of course, we must give everything we have to try to win the Champions League.”

“We will now face Napoli and advance step by step. I believe that with commitment, a stronger character, without losing focus, with a coach who gives his all, which I know he will, and the players who are fully committed, we can achieve some of the goals we set at the end of the season,” the president added.

Laporta went on to lament the season they have had so far despite being alive in two competitions.

“Regarding the sporting aspect, it is true that this season things did not go as we planned. We are coming from a season in which we won the league and the Spanish Super Cup. Therefore, with the, let’s say improved, lineup, we had better expectations, but they have not been met so far.”

Laporta signed off with a message to the fans ahead of Barcelona’s game against Osasuna in the league this Wednesday.

“First and foremost, I want to thank the commitment of the team and the club, because the fans are responding. Yesterday we had the best attendance in Montjuïc. Throughout the season, the attendance is second best, but in any case, it is not just the attendance, it is the fans who encourage every moment, in times of extreme difficulty for the team, and I want to thank them for that.”

He also added, “I ask them to continue like this. These players need your support and I ask them to come to Montjuic to cheer them on this Wednesday against Osasuna. This team and club deserve it.”

Source: FC Barcelona Twitter