Barcelona SACK Xavi only a month after he reversed choice to give up

Xavi has been sacked by Barcelona, bringing an end to a sensational run of events at the Catalan club.

The former midfielder had made his intention to resign from his role clear earlier on in the season, before performing a dramatic U-turn and deciding to stay on.

‘I’m full of energy and desire,’ he had said in April after deciding to remain in charge. ‘We are analysing what has happened to us this year in order to improve next season. We’re looking forward to getting second place. I’m looking forward to it.’

Now, however, he has been let go by club president Joan Laporta following a meeting with the 62-year-old after he had publicly criticised the club’s financial position.

His words angered Laporta, who has now sacked the 44-year-old, with former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Hansi Flick set to take over.

Xavi in a statement since the news was announced, said: ‘Dear friends, Sunday my stage on the bench of Barca will end.

‘It’s never easy to leave the club of your life, but I’m very proud after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family.

‘(I) worked with a great group of players and awesome staff. Thanks to all of them we have been achieving the proposed objectives, culminating last year with a league and super cup.

‘This season, things haven’t gone as we wanted, but we’ve let it go and helped to grow a new generation of footballers from La Masia that inspire all Barcelona fans.

‘Thank you very much to all. To the fans, the players, staff, club employees, the president, board of directors, the media and everyone with whom I have shared the journey. 

‘I wish the best to the club I hold in my heart. Visca el Barca.’

Xavi, in his public criticism of the club’s financial situation earlier this month, said: ‘ ‘The Cule must understand that the situation is very complicated to compete economically.

‘It has nothing to do with what we had 25 years ago when the coach would come and say “I want this one, this one, and this one”. It doesn’t work like that anymore.

‘I understand that and that’s how we’re going to adjust to it. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to compete. We need stability and time. There are good things to compete for. The situation we are in is the situation we are in in terms of results.

‘Last year we were solvent without playing the football we would like to play and this year, we have played better, but with worse results,’ he added.

Xavi later attempted to clarify his earlier comments, saying: ‘I said what I think, the economic situation is not the best and we are all working very well to improve the situation. We will fight to get titles, nothing changes.’

Barcelona directors were believed to be furious for his public slamming of the club’s financial position ahead of the conclusion of the Spanish top-flight season, as reported by RAC1.

Laporta was left so outraged by the media statement made by his team manager that he was said to be considering terminating Xavi’s contract – something which has now been confirmed.

Xavi guided Barca to his one and only LaLiga title as manager last season, and struggled to replicate their domestic success this year as Real Madrid raced ahead to clinch the league. 

The club’s difficult financial situation has put pressure on new signings to perform and a difficult run of form at the turn of the year convinced Xavi he wanted to leave Barcelona.

Laporta was close to tears on Thursday as he described Xavi as ‘extraordinary person who loves Barcelona and transmits that with enthusiasm, confidence and generosity’.

Xavi, explaining his decision to stay, said: ‘I love Barca and I always try to do what is in the club’s best interests.

‘In these three months [since announcing my departure], I have noticed the support from the president, the board of directors and [sporting director] Deco.

‘The support of the players and the fans, who have encouraged me on the street and filled the stadium, has also been important in deciding to reverse my decision.’

According to Marca, the plan was to part ways with Xavi after the conclusion of LaLiga this weekend, but the process moved forwards after a deal was agreed with Flick.

Flick’s last role in management was with Germany, where he was sacked in September after a 4-1 loss to Japan and difficult World Cup campaign in 2022.

The 59-year-old’s side were eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup, and he was relieved of his duties less than a year later after taking over in 2021.

He also spent time in charge of Bayern Munich, winning the Champions League with the club in 2020, winning a sextuple, before resigning to take over at Germany.