Xavi says goodbye to Barça: ‘Starting on Sunday I will be another culé in the stands’

His campaign with Barça in Uefa competitions was poor: he was left out twice in the group stage of the Champions League (2022 and 2023) and this year, PSG eliminated him in the quarterfinals.

They also failed twice in their attempt to win the Europa League: losing in the quarterfinals against Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 and in the preliminary round against Manchester United in 2023.

The Barcelona coach wrote an open letter on his social networks in which he showed his gratitude to the team’s fans. This is the full text:
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​”Dear culés, on Sunday my time on the Barça bench will end. It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud, after two and a half years at the helm of a dressing room that has been like a second family “.

“I want to thank the fans for their support and affection, who have always been by my side and have shown me at all times the same esteem as in my time as a footballer. Starting Sunday I will be another culé in the stands, whether now at the Estadi Olímpic or in a few months at the Nou Camp Nou. Because before being a player or a coach, I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club of my life, which will always have me at its disposal.”

“I have worked with a group of fantastic players and a spectacular staff. Thanks to all of them we have been achieving the objectives set, culminating last year with a League and a Super Cup. This season things have not gone as we wanted, but we have “We gave our all and we have helped a new generation of young La Masia footballers grow who excite all of us Barcelona fans.”

“Thank you very much to everyone. To the fans, to the players, to the staff, to the club employees, to the President, to the Board of Directors, to the sports directors, to the media and to everyone with whom I have shared a trip to throughout these two and a half seasons.

“I wish the best in the club that is in my heart. Visit Barça.”