MADRID, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez announced on Saturday that he would step down at the end of June (the end of the season).
Xavi made the remarks in the wake of his side's 5-3 defeat at home to Villarreal, which leaves them 10 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga.
"I have given everything and I will continue to do so these four months so that the fans feel proud," said Xavi at the post-game press conference in which he highlighted the "spectacular" group of players at the club, but also admitted the pressure of working at the club was hard to deal with.
Saturday's defeat came just three days after his side was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Club Bilbao and two weeks after they lost the Spanish Super Cup final 4-1 to Real Madrid.
"The feeling of being a Barca coach is unpleasant, it is cruel, you feel that they disrespect you many times; that your work is not valued and it is a terrible drain on mental health and mood," said Xavi.
"I am a very positive guy but the energy is going down to the point that you say that it makes no sense to continue," he added. ■
