Xavi Hernandez sacked by Barcelona in shock dismissal, to depart from La Liga club at end of season

Xavi Hernandez has left his role as Barcelona head coach after an eventful season, the La Liga club announced on Friday.

It has been a tumultuous campaign for Xavi who recently performed a U-turn to confirm that he would be staying at the club, after he decided to resign at the end of the season.

The former Barca captain announced that he would be stepping down in January following a shock 5-3 loss to Villarreal, citing a "lack of respect" and describing the role as “cruel and unpleasant”.

Following his announcement, Barca went on a fine run of form which saw them advance into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League but they were eventually dumped out by Paris Saint-Germain.

A club statement read: "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.

"The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Oscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.

"FC Barcelona wishes 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.

"Xavi Hernandez 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."

There had been rumours that Barca president Joan Laporta was unhappy with Xavi after he told reporters about the club's financial issues that could see them struggle next season.

Reports claim that former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick could replace Xavi in the Camp Nou dugout next season.

The decision has now been made that sees Xavi leaving the club for a second time after he left Barca as a player in 2015.

Xavi returned to Barca as the manager in 2021 to replace the departing Ronald Koeman.

The Spaniard led them to a La Liga title last season - the club's first since 2019 and their first title without Lionel Messi since 1999.

However, Barca struggled for consistency and form throughout the campaign and rarely pushed this season's champions Real Madrid in the title race.

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