Xavi Hernández ended his stint as Barcelona coach with a 2-1 win at Sevilla within the last spherical of the Spanish league on Sunday.
Robert Lewandowski and Fermin López scored for Barcelona, which introduced Friday it was parting methods with the previous midfielder with a 12 months left on his contract.
“We didn’t want this to end, but these are decisions made by the club,” Xavi mentioned. “We didn’t win titles but we were on the right track. But soccer is like this, the directors will make their decisions. The response by the players was wonderful.”
Barcelona gamers bid farewell to Xavi after the match.
“We will always wish Xavi the best,” goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen mentioned. “He’s been a friend for many years and it’s not easy to let him go … He deserves the best.”
Barcelona had already clinched second place and a spot within the profitable Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia subsequent season. It completed with 4 consecutive victories.
Also learn | Ten Hag leaves it late with FA Cup triumph as Man United exit looms
Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Sevilla, which ended 14th place after 4 straight losses.
En-Nesyri’s purpose got here within the thirty first minute, after Lewandowski had put Barcelona forward within the fifteenth. López netted the winner for the Catalan membership within the 59th.
Xavi’s departure got here a month after he had walked again a earlier resolution he made in January to depart the membership this summer time. In April, he mentioned that he had modified his thoughts as a result of the group was enjoying higher and he believed it might bounce again from a trophyless season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta had publicly celebrated Xavi’s dedication to remain at the moment. But final week the president was reportedly sad when the top coach spoke brazenly about how the membership’s poor funds would impede it from competing with fierce rival Real Madrid.
“Those who made the decision need to explain it,” mentioned the 44-year-old Xavi, who plans to take a break from teaching.
There was little to be determined within the league’s last spherical on Sunday. Champion Madrid, targeted on the upcoming Champions League last towards Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, drew 0-0 with Real Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona, Girona and Atletico Madrid have been the opposite three groups that certified for the Champions League subsequent season, whereas Basque Country rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will play within the Europa League.
