After ending his time as Barcelona manager with a 2-1 win against Sevilla on Sunday, Xavi Hernandez said he believes his job has been undervalued and that his replacement will have a difficult job on his hands.
Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López were added to an effort from Youssef En-Nesyri as Barça finished the LaLiga campaign with three points just two days after the club announced that Xavi would be sacked at the end of the season.
“I don't think the work we have done has been sufficiently valued taking into account the adverse situation we find ourselves in,” Xavi told DAZN after beating Sevilla.
“Barça was ninth in the standings when we reached the end of 2021. We finished second. Then, in the first full season [in charge]we won two trophies [LaLiga and the Spanish Supercopa].
“This year it hasn't been at the required level, but details have been reached in several key games. It's a shame. I'm sad, but this is the job of a coach.”
ESPN has revealed that Hansi Flick will replace Xavi, and the appointment of the German coach is expected to be announced in the coming days.
“They have to know that it is a difficult situation, because Barcelona is a difficult club, but also because of the adverse financial situation, especially [LaLiga’s] rules of financial fair play,” Xavi said when asked if he had any advice for his successor.
“It won't be easy at all. They will suffer and need patience because it is a really difficult job. The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they were part of the club or not.” [previously].
“They have looked at me with a magnifying glass and a certain level of expectations was generated, because I was part of Barça's best era, which has played against me.”
Xavi initially announced in January that he would resign this summer, but reversed his decision in April before being sacked in a meeting with club president Joan Laporta on Friday.
The manager insists that he wanted to remain in the job, despite his doubts in January, and refuses to reveal the reasons given for his dismissal.
“It's not up to me to explain the reasons, that's for the president to do,” Xavi continued. “I just have to accept them and respect them. The decision has been made and there is no turning back. The club is above anyone. I wanted to stay. I have it [the decision]I respect that, but it's a shame. The feelings are contradictory because the work has been positive despite not winning trophies this season. I thought we were on a good path and I still think that way.
“But this is football, decisions have to be made. I am happy, proud and satisfied with what we have done: two and a half years and two trophies in the adverse and difficult situation in which the Club finds itself, that is the reality .
“I haven't been able to work calmly. We asked for stability a month ago when we decided to stay. We thought that by staying we had achieved it and we were hungry to work hard, but that's the life of a coach.”
Xavi stated that he is “open” to anything in the future regarding the next step in his career, but that in the short term he needs to “rest and be with my family.”
The former midfielder, who made more than 700 appearances for Barça as a player, replaced Ronald Koeman in 2021 and took the team from ninth to second place in his first season in charge.
Last season they won their first LaLiga title since 2019, but Barça has failed to get off the ground this year, ending the season without trophies as they finished second in the league and exited the Champions League and Copa del Rey in the quarterfinals. final.
