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Barcelona Manager Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that he will be leaving the Catalan giants at the end of this season. <\/p>\n
The announcement comes in the wake of a disappointing 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal in a league game at Nou Camp on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The clash witnessed a total of nine goals, with six scored by the visitors. Gerard Moreno opened the scoring in the 41st minute, 21 minutes after having a goal disallowed. Ilias Akomach extended Villarreal\u2019s lead to two in the 54th minute, but \u0130lkay G\u00fcndo\u011fan pulled one back for Barcelona in the 60th minute. G\u00fcndo\u011fan then assisted Pedri, who had just come off the bench, for the equalizer eight minutes later.<\/p>\n
In the 71st minute, Barcelona took the lead with an Eric Bailly own goal, but Goncalo Guedes leveled for Villarreal in the 84th minute. Alexander S\u00f8rloth, who assisted Villarreal\u2019s third goal, then scored one himself in the 99th minute, before Jos\u00e9 Luis Morales sealed the victory with the fifth goal in the 90+12 minute.<\/p>\n
After the match, Xavi Hernandez announced his decision to leave the managerial position at the end of the season during a post-match conference:<\/p>\n
\u201cI will leave Barcelona in June\u201d, said Xavi during post match conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have reached a point of no return. It\u2019s time for change. As a Cul\u00e9, I think that it\u2019s time to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis club needs a change of dynamic. Leaving Bar\u00e7a is the best decision possible for all parties involved\u201d, continued Xavi.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything will be calmer now, we can compete for the Champions League\u2026 at least with this decision you [the press] won\u2019t kill me anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club will improve with this decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou asked me many times that if I\u2019d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Bar\u00e7a\u2026 the truth is that it will NEVER happen here.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou guys won\u2019t allow it \u2014 being Bar\u00e7a coach is so difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Catalan giants were previously eliminated from the Copa del Rey cup in the midweek by Athletic Bilbao.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n