Video – Xavi’s speech to Barcelona squad after announcing decision to quit

Xavi Hernandez left FC Barcelona at the end of the last season after failing to guide the team to any trophy.

The 44-year-old club legend had a tumultuous 2023/24 season filled with highs and lows which eventually resulted in his removal from the managerial position.

It must be remembered that Xavi had already announced back in January, after a devastating defeat to Villarreal, that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

However, the club president Joan Laporta and other board members convinced him to perform a U-turn on his decision only to sack him once the season was over.

What did Xavi say to the Barcelona dressing room?

Now, El Chiringuito TV has gotten its hands on footage from the Barcelona dressing room where Xavi spoke to the squad a day after announcing his decision to leave following the Villarreal defeat.

It must be noted that the players were not made aware of the former manager’s decision until he spoke to the media in the post-match press conference and as such, the announcement came as a shock to them.

Addressing the squad, Xavi said: “Good morning, good morning. Look I know it’s not an easy day, firstly because of yesterday’s s****y result. We’ll analyse it and see what happened to us.”

“I feel bad for not having told you anything before the press conference I held after the match.”

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 1, 2024

Explaining his rationale behind the decision, the former manager went on to add: “I have decided it for a long time. It is not a sudden anger yesterday because of the defeat. I have decided it for quite some time.

“I think I’m starting to become the problem.”

Xavi was surrounded by his staff as he made the emotional speech to his squad. And former captain Sergi Roberto spoke out after the 44-year-old was done addressing the squad, thanking him and his staff for their work.

“I know there are still four months left together but I would like to thank you and all the staff,” Roberto said.

As mentioned earlier, Laporta & co. did manage to convince Xavi to turn back on his decision and continue at the club, only to part ways with him at the end of the season, making for a bizarre situation.