FC Barcelona has announced the dismissal of its head coach, Xavi Hernandez, in an official statement released on Friday afternoon in Spain.
Xavi had previously declared his intention to step down from the high-pressure head coach role on June 30th, as announced in January. However, in April, he reversed this decision after a meeting with Laporta, agreeing to see out his contract, which expires in 2025.
However, last week, Xavi reportedly drew the ire of the board after making negative comments about how the club’s economic challenges impact its ability to compete with bitter rivals Real Madrid.
“The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi Hernández that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season,” the statement began.
“The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi’s assistants, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.
”FC 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.
“Xavi Hernández will lead his last game as first team coach this Sunday in Seville.
“In the coming days, FC Barcelona will inform about the new structure of the first team,” the statement concluded.
The development is the latest of a series of twist and turns related to who mans the Blaugrana dugout.
The latest twist in the saga of who will lead Barcelona from the dugout sees Hansi Flick poised to become the club’s new head coach, according to reports.