Barcelona coach Xavi caught out his players when announcing his resignation last night.

Xavi, after Barca's 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, declared he would be leaving at the end of the season - and admitted he hadn't broken the news to the players.

He said: "I haven't told them. Tomorrow, I will talk to them. I have seen them very screwed up. They don't deserve the situation. There is a human group... there is a very good team. What happens to us has no explanation. We have to be brave.

"I don't cling to the position or the contract. I'm not here because of the contract."

"I had decided a long time ago. If we had won I would have said it later.

"Being Barça coach is cruel... they don't value your work. It's a terrible wear and tear. I'm a positive subject. It doesn't make sense to continue. It affects the club.

"It has happened to all the coaches. It is impossible for there to be a (Sir Alex) Ferguson at Barça. It is very difficult. We have to change dynamics. When nothing makes sense, it is time to act.

"There is no doubt that I have been a man of the club and I have prioritized the club above myself. I have given everything of myself. I want the fans to feel proud. I will give everything these four months. I will continue to be a culé, even more."

On shouting, "a disgrace! A disgrace!", at the camera after an awarded penalty was overturned by VAR, Xavi also said: "They are going to sanction me, really. I don't want to generate more controversy. The defeat is due to our mistakes, but that play is key. The fourth referee tells me that it is a clear penalty. I don't want to talk more. The images are there."