Xavi, the former Barcelona player and current manager, has been sacked by the club, with Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich boss, set to replace him. Xavi’s last game in charge will be on Sunday when Barcelona faces Sevilla in their final La Liga match of the season.
Xavi, who had a contract until 2025, was informed of Barcelona’s decision during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. This comes after Xavi announced in January that he would leave the Camp Nou but was convinced to stay by Laporta in April.
However, recent comments made by Xavi about the club’s financial struggles are believed to have angered Laporta. Barcelona thanked Xavi for his work as a coach and confirmed that a new structure would be announced in the coming days, with Flick expected to take charge.
Flick, who is 59 years old, has been out of work since being sacked by Germany in September 2023. He achieved great success with Bayern Munich in 2020, leading them to win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, who played under Flick at Bayern Munich, could potentially reunite with his former manager.
Xavi’s departure comes after a disappointing season for Barcelona. After winning the La Liga title in the previous season, they have struggled to defend their crown and currently sit 12 points behind rivals Real Madrid. Their Champions League campaign also ended at the quarter-final stage against Paris St-Germain.
The decision to replace Xavi reflects the club’s desire for a fresh start and a change in leadership. Flick’s success at Bayern Munich makes him an attractive choice, with his experience and tactical acumen likely to benefit Barcelona.
This decision also highlights the financial challenges that Barcelona is facing. Xavi’s comments about the club’s financial struggles shed light on the difficulties they are currently dealing with. Laporta may have seen these comments as detrimental to the club’s image and decided to make a change in management.
Overall, Barcelona’s decision to sack Xavi and bring in Hansi Flick marks a significant shift in leadership for the club. It remains to be seen how Flick will fare in his new role and whether he can guide Barcelona back to their winning ways.