- Barcelona announces departure of Xavi Hernandez
- Laporta successfully persuaded him to stay
- Barcelona has hinted at a "new structure"
In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona has announced the departure of manager Xavi Hernandez.
The former club legend, who was contracted until 2025, will oversee his final match this Sunday against Sevilla in La Liga.
This news comes just one month after it was confirmed Xavi would remain at the helm. The decision, made during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco on Friday, has shaken things up at Camp Nou.
Xavi, a beloved figure at Barcelona as both player and manager, originally announced his intention to leave in January. However, Laporta successfully persuaded him to stay on in April.
Reports suggest that recent comments by Xavi regarding Barcelona’s financial struggles may have caused friction with Laporta. Despite this, the club expressed gratitude for Xavi’s contributions as coach since 2021.
Looking ahead, Barcelona has hinted at a “new structure” to be announced soon. With Xavi departing, all signs point towards former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick taking the reins.
The 59-year-old Flick has been out of work since his dismissal from the German national team in September 2023. Although his tenure with Germany was underwhelming, with only 12 wins in 25 matches, Flick’s pedigree is undeniable. Prior to his stint with Germany, he led Bayern Munich to a historic treble in 2020, conquering the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League.
Adding another intriguing layer to this story is the presence of Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski. The 35-year-old striker played under Flick for two seasons at Bayern Munich, potentially fostering a strong working relationship if Flick takes charge at Camp Nou.
