Xavi to leave Barcelona

Why was Xavi sacked by Barcelona?

Ankit Kunwar

Barcelona have sacked Xavi less than a month after asking him to stay for another season. The Catalan side made the decision after the manager reportedly fell out with a number of players at the club.  

Marca report that the Spaniard’s statements about being betrayed and underappreciated at the club also were a key reason. They add that the board were not happy with the lineups in several occasions and claim that Joan Laporta forced a change when they were facing Antwerp in the Champions League. 

The report states that players like Raphinha, Araujo, Koundé, and Robert Lewandowski were not in favor of how Xavi handled things in Barcelona. The overall feeling was that he could have done better with his tactics, and the board agreed with a lot of it. 

They decided to sack the manager on Friday morning and released the following statement:

“Today Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernandez that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season. The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Oscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.”

“FC Barcelona wishes to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world. Xavi Hernandez will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla. During the course of the next few days, FC Barcelona will be making an announcement regarding the new first team structure.”

Hansi Flick is set to be appointed as the new Barcelona manager next week.

Sevilla manager blasts Barcelona for Xavi sacking

Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores was furious with Barcelona for their decision to sack Xavi. He claimed that the Catalan side do not respect the legends of the club and said:

“Xavi is a coach who has cared a lot about the club. He has experienced many things as a player and has done a good job as a coach,” the former Watford manager said. I’ll give him a huge hug, we’ll talk. I shouldn’t say this, but how badly Barcelona treats its legends. Koeman, Messi, with Xavi now… what a bad streak. I wish clubs would value their legends. That adds up.”

Ronaldo Koeman was sacked on a plane back to Barcelona after the 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was left waiting for a new contract and then told the club were unable to afford one – forcing him to move to PSG. 

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