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10 months ago
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Despite the warm sun shining through a mostly cold dawn, it was an emotional day at the heart of Barcelona. Coming off a 3-5 loss against Villarreal yesterday, Xavi announced his resignation from the club, deciding to leave at the end of the season.
Tributes from fans and players started pouring in, including Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, who reiterated in their post-game press conferences that the poor set of results were the players fault and not the manager’s.
However, the news of his departure came as a shock to the players just as much as the fans. Xavi had made his decision late in December, and was initially waiting for some time before announcing it.
Today, during team training, Xavi explained his decision to the players before training today, as per a report by Javi Miguel.
He apologised to the squad, and reportedly said, “I am sorry that you had to find out this way, but it was something that I had in me for a long time, and I could not want any longer.”
“I sincerely believe this is the best decision for everyone. For me, because I am freed from a burden, and for you, because you will be able to play without so much pressure,” he added.
Xavi continued to thank the Barcelona team for their consistent efforts and commitment to his beliefs and project, and emphasised that they had built a family over the last 2.5 years with him at the helm.
On the verge of tears multiple times during this speech, the Barcelona legend added, “I believe firmly that we can hit the table and surprise everyone who consider us dead.”
Barcelona players responded to his speech with an ovation before the coach went on to hug each player and staff member individually.
As the current captain of the club, Sergi Roberto apologised to Xavi on behalf of the entire team, as well.
The onus is now on Joan Laporta and co. to make sure the next man in charge of Barcelona is as serious about the project as Xavi, and tactically better than him. Otherwise, all this would have been for nothing.
