Barcelona, Spain – After a rollercoaster of a month, Xavi and Barcelona are parting ways despite the initial plan for him to stay on as head coach. The former Spain international had declared his intention to leave the club at the end of the season in January, only to be persuaded to reverse his decision in April. However, in a surprising turn of events, it has been decided that Xavi will not continue with the team, and the upcoming match against Sevilla will be his last in charge.
During a meeting with the club’s president, Joan Laporta, and sporting director, Deco, Xavi and his assistants were informed of the decision. Barcelona expressed gratitude for Xavi’s contributions as a coach, adding to his illustrious career as a player and team captain. Details on the new structure of the first team will be provided in the following days.
Hansi Flick, the former head coach of Bayern Munich, is expected to replace Xavi, marking his first coaching role outside of Germany. Flick, who led Bayern Munich to a treble in 2019-20, has been without a job since being sacked by the German national team in September. The official announcement of his appointment is anticipated in the coming week.
Xavi’s contract was set to run until summer 2025, raising questions about the financial implications of his departure and that of his coaching staff. Previously, Xavi had agreed to forgo his wages for the remaining period of his contract when his resignation was still pending. His landmark 100th game in charge was celebrated earlier this month, establishing him as one of the few with a notable record at the club.
Despite speculation surrounding his future, Xavi maintained his position ahead of the crucial La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano. Expressing confidence in the support from Laporta and Deco, Xavi reiterated his commitment to the ongoing project and the upcoming season. Barcelona is guaranteed second place in La Liga as the 2023-24 campaign concludes at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Sunday.