Barcelona Sacks Head Coach, Xavi With Hansi Flick Set To Replace Him
La Liga side, Barcelona has dismissed its head coach, Xavi with former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to replace him.
Xavi will take charge of Barcelona for the final time on Sunday, when they play against Sevilla in their last La Liga match of the season.
The 44-year-old, who had been contracted until 2025, was informed of the club’s decision during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco on Friday – exactly one month since it was announced that he would remain at the club.
Former Spain midfielder Xavi made it known in January that he was going leave the Camp Nou, but he was persuaded to stay by Laporte in April.
But recent comments from Xavi, in which he opened up about the club’s financial struggles, are said to have angered Laporta.
Barcelona said they would like to “thank Xavi for his work as a coach” since taking charge in 2021.
“It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family,” said Xavi in an open letter issued on social media.
“From Sunday I will be just one more Barca fan, in the stands.
“Because before being a player or a coach I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club in my life, which will always have me at its disposal.”
The Catalans added a “new structure” will be confirmed in the coming days, with Flick set to take charge.
The 59-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Germany in September 2023.
Flick, who replaced Joachim Low as national boss in 2021, became the first Germany manager to be sacked since the role was created in 1926, winning just 12 of his 25 matches in charge.
Flick’s stint with Germany came after he guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, 35, played under Flick at the Allianz Arena for two seasons.
