Barcelona chief calls for unity after Xavi quits as coach

Barcelona president Joan Laporta called for unity on Sunday and said players will need fans' support more than ever after head coach Xavi Hernández revealed he would resign at the end of the season.

Xavi, 44, made the surprise announcement after Saturday's 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, which left Barca 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

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It also follows a 4-1 defeat to Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final this month and a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarter-final in midweek, results which increased the pressure on the Barça boss.

“I can't wait to turn the situation around, which is not pleasant for anyone, but what is needed now is unity,” Laporta told the club's official media on Sunday.

“It's true that things are not going as we planned this season. We won La Liga and the Super Cup last year and, with an improved squad, we had higher expectations for the campaign. But we haven't met those expectations and we need to turn things around.

“We are grateful for the commitment the fans have shown to the team and the club during this period. We will need it moving forward, starting with the home game against Osasuna on Wednesday.

“I'm sure they understand the situation, the difficulties [the club are having]but the players need it and the role of the supporters will be fundamental between now and the end of the season.

Saturday's loss to Villarreal was the first time Barca had conceded five goals in a La Liga match at home since January 1963, when they were beaten 5-1 by Madrid. It's also the first time since 1951 that they have allowed four or more goals in consecutive games.

Laporta and his board met with Xavi immediately after the match at the Olympic Stadium to discuss the coach's future, with Xavi later explaining his decision in a press conference.

“Xavi wanted to leave at the end of the season and it was a formula that I was ready to accept because it was his proposal,” added Laporta.

“He is a legend of the club, an honest and worthy person and someone who loves Barça. The commitment of Xavi and his staff is and will be 100% until the end of the season.”

After exiting the Super Cup and Copa this month, Barca's title hopes now depend solely on La Liga and the Champions League.

They remain third in the championship, behind Madrid and Girona, and have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, where they will face Napoli over two matches in February and March.

“La Liga is going to be difficult, but it is still not lost,” Laporta said. “We have to fight to finish as high as possible. We have to give everything to win the Champions League as well.

“We will take it step by step, with commitment and even more character without losing our focus. With a coach who gives everything and committed players, we can achieve one of the goals we have set for ourselves by the end of the season.”

Xavi took over from Ronald Koeman in 2021 and took Barca from ninth in La Liga to second and qualification for the Champions League.

Last season, his first full campaign in charge, he led the team to their first La Liga title since 2019 and also won the Spanish Super Cup.

In total, Xavi has managed 122 matches in all competitions, with 75 wins, 21 draws and 26 defeats.