Head coach Xavi of Barcelona has been fired, as announced by the club, despite his announcement 30 days earlier that he would return for the following campaign.
Xavi said in January that he would be leaving Barca at the end of the season, but Joan Laporta, the club president, persuaded him to stay on as manager.
Even though Barca went on to finish in second position in La Liga, it was announced on Friday that Xavi would indeed be leaving before their season-ending encounter against Sevilla on Sunday.
According to a statement posted on the team’s official website, “Xavi was informed this afternoon by club president Joan Laporta that he will not be returning to lead the first team in the 2024–25 season.”
“The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi’s assistants, Oscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.
“Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.”
In his 142 games as manager of Barcelona, Xavi guided the team to the 2022–2023 championship.
With 89 victories in all events, he has a 62.7 victory %.
It is anticipated that Hansi Flick, the former Germany and Bayern Munich coach, will be named as Xavi’s replacement.
Xavi has aided blood young stars like Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez during his tenure in leadership.