Barcelona sacked coach Xavi Hernandez (44) on Friday following a trophyless season, despite a recent agreement for him to continue in his role. Xavi will lead the team in their final La Liga match on Sunday against Sevilla before his departure.
“Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Xavi Hernandez he will not continue as coach for the 2024/25 season,” announced Barcelona. Former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is expected to replace him.
Initially, Xavi had announced in January that he would leave at the end of the season. However, after a strong run of form, he and Laporta agreed in April that he would stay through June 2025. This decision was reversed after Xavi’s comments about the club’s financial difficulties and its competition with elite European teams reportedly angered Laporta. “Barcelona want to thank Xavi for his work as coach, which adds to his unmatchable career as a player and 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.”
Last season, Barcelona won La Liga but failed to defend the title this year. They were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, defeated by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.
In April, Laporta had praised Xavi’s decision to stay, emphasizing the need for stability with a young team. However, Laporta’s stance changed less than a month later. Xavi, who was appointed in November 2021 to replace Ronald Koeman, aimed to restore the club’s former glory after years of European struggles since their 2015 Champions League win.
As a player, Xavi made 767 appearances for Barcelona, second only to Lionel Messi, and won numerous titles, including eight La Liga and four Champions League trophies. Despite his long-held dream to coach Barcelona, Xavi admitted in January that the role was “cruel” and mentally taxing.
