Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez to step down at end of season as struggles continue

The club will be looking for a new boss to lead after the legendary player's return has yielded few results

After a stunning 5-3 loss to Villarreal on Saturday, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez announced that he will step down as coach at the end of the season. The former Barcelona midfielder is less than a season removed from leading the club to a La Liga title but after losing the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid and being knocked out of the Copa Del Rey at the hands of Atletico Bilbao, while also trailing Real Madrid in the La Liga race by 10 points, Barcelona's chances at glory this season are dwindling despite reaching the last 16 of Champions League.

"I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barça," Xavi said. "I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation."   

Already pondering his future after the Copa Del Rey loss to Bilbao, Xavi said that if Barcelona weren't at the level of competitiveness expected at the end of the season, it would be normal that he would have to leave and the loss to Villarreal certainly was a moment that Barcelona lacked competitiveness allowing two goals after the 90th minute of play to drop all three points.