La Liga

Barcelona sack Xavi with Flick set to replace him

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Barcelona have sacked manager Xavi Hernandez with former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick set to replace him.

Before leaving, Xavi will coach the squad in its last La Liga game against Sevilla on Sunday.

“Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Xavi Hernandez he will not continue as coach for the 2024-25 season,” said Barcelona in a statement.

Tipped to take Xavi’s place is former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick.

Although Xavi had declared in January that he would be leaving at the end of the current season, he and president Laporta decided in April that he would remain for the following campaign, with his contract ending in June 2025.

But things swiftly turned around when Xavi’s remarks that the financially strapped team would find it difficult to compete with Real Madrid and other top European teams infuriated Laporta, according to Spanish media.

“Barcelona want to thank Xavi for his work as coach, which adds to his unmatchable career as a player and the captain of the first team, and wish him all the best in the future,” continued Barcelona’s statement.

“In the coming days, Barcelona will reveal the new coaching structure for the first team staff.”

Although they were unable to successfully defend their La Liga championship this season, Barcelona did win it the previous one.

They lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey, were trounced by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final.

Photo by EPA/ENRIC FONTCUBERTA