Barcelona have sacked Xavi Hernandez just a month after the Spanish coach performed a U-turn over his decision to leave Camp Nou. The Blaugrana president Joan Laporta and his fellow board members were unhappy with the iconic former midfielder’s comments about the La Liga giants’ financial capabilities.
Xavi returned to Barca in the managerial dugout in November 2021 after a trophy-laden career playing in the Catalans’ midfield. He ended the club’s four-year title drought by bringing the La Liga title to Catalonia in the 2022-23 campaign and has overseen 89 wins in 141 games. His final game in charge will be against Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday (May 26).
Barcelona‘s decision to sack Xavi will set the club back around €15 million (£13m/$16m), per AS. That’s a high price to pay to part ways with a manager willing to leave just four weeks ago.
Xavi’s replacement is Hansi Flick, with the German coach already reaching an agreement with the Catalan giants. It’s said that he will earn close to 30 percent less than his predecessor. The former Bayern Munich boss was available after becoming the first manager to be sacked by Germany in the nation’s history in September 2023.
“It’s never easy to leave the club of your life,” Xavi pens farewell address to Barcelona fans
Xavi broke his silence after his sacking on Friday (May 24) and admitted it was difficult to leave the club of his life. The Spaniard wrote on Instagram:
“I want to thank the fans for the support and affection, who have always been by my side and have shown me the same love at all times as in my footballing stage… From Sunday I will be one more fan in the stands, either now at the Olympic Stadium or in a few months at the New Camp Nou. Because before I was a player or a coach, I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club of my life.”
Xavi also thanked President Laporta and the board members despite their decision to dismiss him amid tensions stemming from his recent comments on the club’s finances. There has been little suggestion of where the 44-year-old’s next destination will be but he’s spoken about his admiration for the Premier League in the past.
There are several vacancies in the English top-flight with Chelsea searching for a Mauricio Pochettino replacement. Erik ten Hag also looks set to be sacked by Manchester United after Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City (May 25).
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