Barcelona manager Xavi states that he will leave the club at the end of the season regardless of whether they win the Champions League or not.
The Spaniard declared in January that he will step down at the end of the season.
Xavi was facing significant pressure at that time, following the club’s exit from the Supercopa and Copa Del Rey in January.
It was probable that the Barcelona legend would have been sacked by Joan Laporta if he had not announced his decision to step down.
However, the club advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday with a victory against Napoli.
This marks the club's first appearance in the last eight since 2021, following two years in the Europa League.
Yet, Xavi states that he will step aside regardless of whether the club manages to win the competition for the first time since 2015 or not.
‘You keep on asking me if I will stay if we win the Champions League… no, I will not stay at Barcelona next season,’ said Xavi.
‘My future won’t change, my answer will not change”.
‘I will leave Barcelona at the end of the season. I will enjoy Champions next season but just as a fan.’
‘People didn’t believe me; [they said] I was going to lose the dressing room. We have received unfair criticism. There has been too much pressure on the players: ultimatums, life or death [games].
‘I even read that we were the joke of the Champions League. And now what?’
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