Xavi Concludes Tenure as Barcelona Coach with Victory Over Sevilla in La Liga Finale

Xavi Hernández concluded his tenure as Barcelona's head coach with a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the final round of the Spanish league on Sunday. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermin López secured the win for Barcelona, which had announced on Friday its decision to part ways with the former midfielder a year before his contract was set to expire.

“We didn't want this to end, but these are decisions made by the club,” Xavi remarked. “We didn't win titles but we were on the right track. But soccer is like this, the directors will make their decisions. The response by the players was wonderful.”

After the match, Barcelona players bid farewell to Xavi. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen expressed his sentiments, stating, “We will always wish Xavi the best. He's been a friend for many years and it's not easy to let him go ... He deserves the best.”

Barcelona had already secured second place and a spot in next season's Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The team concluded the season with four consecutive victories.

Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri scored in the 31st minute, equalizing after Lewandowski's 15th-minute opener. López netted the decisive goal for Barcelona in the 59th minute. Sevilla finished the season in 14th place following four consecutive losses.

Xavi's departure follows a month of reconsideration regarding his future. Initially planning to leave in the summer, he reversed his decision in April, citing improved team performance and potential for recovery from a trophy-less season. Barcelona president Joan Laporta had initially supported Xavi's commitment to stay but reportedly grew discontent after Xavi publicly discussed the club's financial struggles compared to rivals Real Madrid.

“Those who made the decision need to explain it,” said the 44-year-old Xavi, who plans to take a break from coaching.

In the league's final round, Real Madrid, preparing for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, drew 0-0 with Real Betis on Saturday. Madrid had already clinched the league title.

Barcelona, Girona, and Atletico Madrid secured spots in next season's Champions League, while Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad qualified for the Europa League. Betis earned the Conference League berth.

Cadiz, Almeria, and Granada were relegated.

Sunday's other results included Mallorca's 2-1 victory at Getafe, a 2-2 draw between Celta Vigo and Valencia, and a 1-1 draw between Alaves and Las Palmas.

Girona striker Artem Dovbyk finished as the league's top scorer with 24 goals, one more than Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth. Lewandowski and Madrid's Jude Bellingham tied for third with 19 goals each.

Real Madrid concluded the season with the league's best attack, scoring 87 goals, and the best defense, conceding only 26 goals.