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Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barcelona, looks on during the La Liga game against Almeria at the Municipal Stadium of the Mediterranean Games in Almeria, Spain, May 16, 2024. /CFP
Xavi Hernandez will step down as the manager of Barcelona, the La Liga giants announced in a statement on Friday. According to ESPN, Hansi Flick, former boss of the Germany national team and Bundesliga's Bayern Munich, is "on course" to succeed Xavi.
Xavi and Barca have had a tumultuous season. In January, the manager announced his intention to leave the club after the 2023-24 season. However, in April, he reversed his decision and expressed his commitment to finishing his contract until 2025. Despite his denials, reports emerged in the past two weeks suggesting he would be sacked.
On Friday, Barca's president Joan Laporta met with Xavi and conveyed the club's decision.
Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barcelona, makes a gesture during the La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano played at Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, May 19, 2024. /CFP
"Barcelona president Joan Laporta has communicated to Xavi Hernandez that he will not continue as coach for the 2024-25 season," Barca said in a statement. "The meeting took place at the training ground in the presence of vice president Rafa Yuste, sporting directors Deco and Xavi's assistants, Óscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre."
"Barcelona want to thank Xavi for his work as coach, which adds to his unmatchable career as a player and the captain of the first team, and wish him all the best in the future," the club added. "Xavi will take charge of Sunday's game against Sevilla in what will be his final match as coach. In the coming days, Barcelona will reveal the new coaching structure for the first team staff."
Under Xavi's tenure, Barca played 141 games, winning 89, drawing 23, and losing 29. They secured both the La Liga title and the Supercopa de Espana last season and are currently positioned as runners-up above Real Madrid in the 2023-24 campaign.
Hansi Flick, manager of Germany, greets spectators ahead of the friendly against Japan at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany, September 09, 2023. /CFP
"It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family," Xavi posted on social media. "From Sunday I will be another fan in the stands... Because before being a player or a coach I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club in my life, which will always have me at its disposal."
Flick managed Bayern between 2019 and 2021, helping them win two Bundesliga championships and one UEFA Champions League title among other honors. He was appointed as Germany's manager in 2021, but the team's elimination at the group stage from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 as well as the 4-1 international loss to Japan in 2023 cost him the job. He hasn't managed any team since then.