Xavi: “My work was not appreciated enough, but I have a clear conscience”

In his first press conference since announcing his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, Xavi did not hide his bitterness at the way he was treated and the unrealistic expectations placed on him when he took over.

“I think that my work was not appreciated enough, this brings wear and tear. It has nothing to do with pressure. I took over during one of the most difficult periods in Barcelona’s history. I think I did a good job, but this year things didn’t go as we wanted, mainly in terms of results. But we have laid the foundations for the future. It was a dream for me to become a coach at Barcelona and I lived it. I have a clear conscience that I did the best I could for the team“, he emphasized.

“I always said what I believed. When I said that we are a team under construction with… you teared up. I said that we don’t have the Barcelona of 2010. I don’t think I get credit for anything, not even that they won the league with a 12-point margin. That’s how I feel. In this job they make you feel worthless every day. I had spoken to Pep (Guardiola) and he had told me the same thing. And Luis Enrique had a bad time. We’ll have to see that. We have a problem with existing requirements. That’s why I say it’s hard and you don’t enjoy it“, he added.

“The president has shown his trust in me and I have only words of gratitude for him. I think we have a great president. I don’t rule out the possibility of a return. I will be available to Barcelona whenever they need me, but now I feel they don’t need me. I have already made my decision“, concluded.