Barcelona sack Xavi with Flick set to arrive

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 24 May 2024 14:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Xavi has been sacked by Barcelona after two-and-a-half years in charge and he will leave the club after their final LaLiga game of the 2023-24 season.

The Blaugrana legend replaced Ronald Koeman at the helm in November 2021 and he guided the club to the Spanish top flight title during his first full campaign in charge.

However, Barcelona are currently 12 points behind Real Madrid with one league game left to play this campaign and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage after a 6-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

READ MORE: Why did Barcelona sack Xavi?

In January, Xavi decided to step down from his role as Barcelona head coach at the end of the campaign, with pressure mounting on his shoulders following a patchy run of form.

But, he made a spectacular U-turn in April - as FootballTransfers exclusively revealed - and opted to remain at Barcelona after an improvement in results. The Spaniard wanted assurances from Joan Laporta and he reportedly received these.

However, Barcelona have confirmed that Xavi will leave the club following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.

READ MORE: What managers are available and where could they go?

Xavi’s contract at Camp Nou runs until 2025, but Barcelona have opted to sack the Spain football legend.

A club statement read: “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 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.”

Hansi Flick to replace Xavi

Former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Hansi Flick is in line to replace Xavi and his appointment is expected to be confirmed once Barca’s final LaLiga game of the season has concluded.

He has reportedly been informed that he will be chosen as Xavi’s successor, with Flick set to return to club management for the first time since 2021.