Barcelona have made the surprising decision to fire coach Xavi Hernandez on Friday, despite reaching an agreement with club president Joan Laporta just weeks ago for him to stay.
The Catalan giants decided to make a change after a season without winning any trophies.
Xavi’s final act as coach will be leading the team in their last La Liga match against Sevilla on Sunday before his departure.
“Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Xavi Hernandez he will not continue as coach for the 2024-25 season,” said Barcelona in a statement.
The former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, Hansi Flick is strongly rumoured to be the frontrunner to replace Xavi at Barcelona.
Xavi had initially announced his intention to leave at the end of the season back in January.
However, after a strong run of form, in April he and president Laporta agreed that he would stay for the next campaign, with his contract expiring in June 2025.
The situation took a turn when Spanish media reported that Laporta was displeased with Xavi’s comments, which suggested it was challenging for the financially-strapped club to compete with Real Madrid and other top European sides.
This change in sentiment led to Xavi’s unexpected departure from the club.
“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.”
The Catalans won La Liga in 2023 but were not able to successfully defend the title in the current campaign.
Barcelona’s season took a disappointing turn with several setbacks, including being knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, a heavy defeat by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and a loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.
Xavi, 44, initially seemed to be in a precarious position with his decision to stay, leading to speculation that his continued tenure was more of a convenience for both parties rather than a long-term commitment.
“It’s great news that Xavi is staying,” said Laporta on April 25.
“The team we have, that is (still) consolidating, with very young players, needs that stability.
“Xavi is a reference for young players and we can see that — today I’m especially pleased, and the board have unanimously supported this decision.”
Barcelona’s president reversed his decision less than a month later. Despite Xavi’s recent assertions that he was eager to continue coaching the team next season and felt supported by Laporta, the club’s leadership opted for a change.
Laporta had appointed Xavi in November 2021 to revitalize the team after years of European struggles following their 2015 Champions League victory.
Xavi, a Barcelona legend with 767 appearances for the club and numerous trophies, including eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, initially dreamed of coaching the team.
However, he admitted in January that the role was mentally taxing.
The likely replacement for Xavi, Hansi Flick, 59, has been without a coaching position since his dismissal by Germany in 2023.
Flick previously guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, highlighted by an 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.
