ARN News Centre

Barca manager Xavi to leave at end of season

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:28

By Reuters

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said on Saturday that he had decided to step down at the end of the season after his side lost 5-3 at home to Villarreal in LaLiga, their third defeat in their last five games in all competitions.

"I'd like to announce that as of June 30 I will not continue as Barca coach," he told a press conference.

Barcelona are third on 44 points, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid and eight adrift of second-placed Girona.

They were thrashed by Real in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier in January and knocked out in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

More from Sports

Turkey edge Romania to reach World Cup playoff final

Turkey moved within one game of ending their long World Cup absence as Ferdi Kadioglu's second-half goal secured a 1-0 win over Romania in their playoff semi-final on Thursday, following a moment of brilliance from Arda Guler.
UEFA fines Benfica for fan behaviour during Real Madrid game

European soccer’s governing body UEFA said it has fined Benfica 40,000 euros ($46,250) for "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour" by supporters during their Champions League match against Real Madrid last month.
Sabalenka to face Rybakina in blockbuster Miami Open semi-final

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the two top women's players in the world, will battle it out in a Miami Open semi-final on Thursday after coming through their quarter-final matches.
Final World Cup ticketing phase is first-come, first-served

FIFA announced Wednesday that a fourth and final phase of ticket sales will take place starting at 11:00 AM ET (7:00 PM GST) on April 1 and will remain open through the end of the tournament.
Japan's Sakamoto on pace for fourth world title in Prague

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto has surged into the lead in the women's singles short programme at the world figure skating championships on Wednesday, putting her on course for a fourth world title in the final competitive event of her career.