Barcelona coach Xavi during a recent press conference. (Reuters)
Barcelona on Friday confirmed that they have parted ways with manager Xavi Hernandez, just four weeks after the Spaniard was set to continue for the 2024-25 season.
“Today Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernandez that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season,” Barcelona said in a statement.
“Barcelona wish to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world.
▶ FC Barcelona official statementhttps://t.co/yJRoC1n9YS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 24, 2024
“He will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla.”
“During the course of the next few days, FC Barcelona will be making an announcement regarding the new first team structure,” Barcelona said.
Rumours are that former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick will be announced as the Spanish giant’s manager imminently.
Back in January, Xavi had announced that he will step down from the role at the end of the season following a 5-3 loss against Villarreal at Camp Nou and described the job “cruel and unpleasant.”
“I’d like to announce that as of June 30 I will not continue as Barca coach,” he told reporters in the press conference after meeting with club president Joan Laporta for over half an hour.
“It is a situation of common sense and I have decided that on June 30th I will not continue as Barca coach,” he had said.
But in April, Xavi had made an U-turn and revealed that he would stay on as Barca manager until the end of his contract in 2025.
