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10 months ago
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Following the bombshell that was his resignation from Barcelona at the end of the season, Xavi addressed the media for the first time today as part of his pre-game press conference for the clash against Osasuna at home.
Coming off a 3-5 defeat against Villarreal and 4-2 against Athletic Club, Barça will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow in the league.
“We must be united, all of Barcelona fans. Especially the fans. I thank them very much for their support. Also to the locker room. And the board. The season is not over. We want to do well,” Xavi started off by saying, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“We have a mental problem and a football problem. This causes performance to drop. We must organize ourselves.”
As for their opponents, Xavi only had positive things to say about Osasuna, who reached the final of the Copa del Rey last season and also participated in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals against Barcelona.
“Osasuna are a rock defensively. They score a lot of goals. Tomorrow it will cost us and we have to be united.”
“We have to defend better and attack better. That causes the performance of many players to progressively fall. We have to be self-critical. Be at the level…”
Xavi clarified his position on his resignation, reiterating what he said this weekend, saying that he had made his decision a while back
“I had decided to leave from the beginning of the season.”
Xavi also added one of the reasons for his resignation, saying that he did not feel appreciated at the club.
“The decision on my resignation has been made for a long time, our work is not valued enough. That’s why I had decided to leave from the beginning of the season.”
“Is it the club, press or fans? I think it’s in general. I don’t think it’s (our work) been valued enough. That generates a wear and tear that you think that, you do what you do, it is not valued. We have endured the pressure and we have arrived at one of the most difficult moments of the club and I prefer not to continue.”
“In the day to day you know that there is a lot of unity… I was surprised by the calls. Many players have come at an individual level to talk to me. There are players who have made me excited. I leave the position because I am a culé. When it’s the Gamper, I want to come with my family to watch the game. In these months I will leave my skin, especially the players, who have to take a step forward. We depend a lot on them being inspired,” he added emotionally.
Xavi reminded the fans and the media that Barcelona are still alive in two competitions, and while the league seems quite far out of reach, they are competing in the Champions League knockout stages, even if winning it would require a miracle.
“We have to counter 11 points to Girona. But we have the Champions League. We are excited and we have to compete.”
The coach made sure to pay his gratitude to Joan Laporta, who he thanked on the weekend, as well.
“Thanking Laporta? Always. With a hand to my heart. Grateful for a lifetime. Even in more difficult times, Laporta asked me to continue. He asked me for strength. But if we have managed to reverse the most complicated situation in the club, if it is not valued, it generates wear and tear and that’s why I make the decision.”
That said, Xavi did continue saying exactly what he has been saying since his appointment: Barcelona is the toughest coaching job in the world.
“Is it cruel to coach Barça? Because it’s like that. I try to express what I feel. They make you feel like you’re not worth it. Talking to Pep, Ernesto and Luis Enrique I didn’t know. Now I’ve lived it. It is not enjoyed. It seems that you risk your life at all times.”
Being the true gentleman he is, Xavi also defended Barcelona Atletic coach Rafa Marquez, who said that it would be ‘difficult to say no’ if he was presented with a chance to coach the senior team.
“Rafa Marquez’s words? Rafa is my friend. Maybe he expressed himself badly. But obviously he is getting ready to coach Barça someday. I’m not the one who has to say that he has to coach Barça one day.”
With several Barcelona players injured or suffering from discomfort, Xavi provided an update on their situation, including on Andreas Christensen, who has been playing sparingly.
“Andreas [Christensen] has a lot of discomfort and is forcing. Tomorrow he will be available but the idea is for him to participate less. Iñigo will be ready for the next game and Ter Stegen will be ready for the match against Granada.”
Xavi did end on a wholesome note, though, suggesting that he would love to return to Barcelona someday.
“I do not rule out returning to Barça. Barça will have me…, but now I think they do not need me. I had already decided. I don’t think the work is valued.”
