Xavi has revealed the mental toil required to coach Barcelona, claiming it is a “cruel and unpleasant job”.
The former Spain midfielder announced on Saturday he would leave the club at the end of the season after becoming worn down by the expectation and what he perceives as relentless attacks by the media.
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Barcelona are fourth in La Liga after an underwhelming season that has brought a wave of criticism.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Osasuna, Xavi said: “It is a cruel and unpleasant job.
“It makes you feel worthless on a daily basis. Pep [Guardiola] had already told me and I saw Luis Enrique suffer.
“We have a problem in terms of the demands. You don’t enjoy it. You’re playing for your life all the time. It’s cruel.”
Xavi took over in November 2021 and, having stabilised the club in his first season in charge, led Barca to the league title last season.
Given Barca’s well-documented financial troubles, he has undoubtedly over-achieved in Catalonia but he does not believe he has been given the credit he deserves.
He added: “The job we have done has not been sufficiently valued. We arrived in 2021 at one of the most difficult moments in the club’s history.
“That generates a certain amount of wear and tear, especially when it’s your club.
“I have the feeling that whatever I do, I won’t be valued. It’s not to do with putting up with the pressure. We came in at such a difficult moment and I don’t think our work will ever be valued.
”It’s an issue to do with the club, the environment which circulates it, the demands and that’s why the feeling I had was that this is the right moment to leave.”
???? Xavi: “I want these four months to be the very best. We will leave everything on the pitch” pic.twitter.com/83iLLGM5T8
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 30, 2024
Although he is due to depart, Xavi does not believe the demands on the new coach will be any different.
“The same will happen,” he said. “This is the problem. I would advise them to be themselves and to not allow themselves to be influenced.”
