Barcelona’s iconic figure and manager, Xavi Hernandez, has opted to step down from his managerial role, citing the presence of toxicity within the club as a key factor.
The reports on this alleged toxicity stem from sources at The Athletic, indicating that Xavi reached a breaking point, feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the challenging environment. This strain reportedly extended beyond professional matters, impacting his family and personal life. Choosing to make the announcement post their loss against Villarreal, Xavi aimed to shield the club and players from additional media speculation during the critical upcoming weeks.
According to a source from The Athletic, “Xavi slept better tonight than he had in a long time,” underscoring the immense pressure the former World Cup winner experienced in his leadership role at Barcelona.
In a broader context, Barcelona’s recent setbacks, losing in the Supercopa de Espana and the Copa del Rey within a span of 20 days, coupled with a significant deficit in the La Liga race, likely contributed to the challenging atmosphere.
An interesting statistic from Mundo Deportivo reveals that Barcelona conceded 19 goals in January, marking the highest number in a single month in the club’s history. This surpasses the previous record of 18 goals conceded in March 1930.
Looking ahead, Xavi expressed hope that his departure announcement would motivate an improved performance from the team in the remaining matches. Despite the season’s trajectory, he remains firm in his decision to leave the club.