Barcelona sack Xavi with replacement already lined up

Barcelona have sacked manager Xavi after just weeks after he reversed his decision to leave at the end of the season.

Xavi angered club president Joan Laporta earlier this month with claims that the club could not compete with Real Madrid without major signings, having reportedly insisted that was not the case in private conversations with club officials.

The decision has now been made to sack Xavi, communicated via an official statement, which thanked the Spaniard "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."

Barcelona also confirmed that Xavi will take charge of the club's final game of the season away at Sevilla on Sunday.

Former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick is expected to succeed Xavi. A deal was struck with the former Germany manager, who has made it clear he would prioritise Barca's interest over approaches from other clubs, earlier this week.

The decision to sack Xavi brings an end to one of the most extraordinary managerial sagas in recent memory.

Xavi, having led Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title, found himself under immense pressure early in the 2023/24 campaign and ultimately revealed in January that he had told the club he would be stepping down as manager this summer.

Club officials, including Laporta, publicly urged Xavi to rethink his decision after a major upturn in form on the pitch, and he eventually confirmed in April that he would remain beyond the current season.

However, less than a month after that U-turn, Xavi has been informed that he will not be in charge next season.

Flick was seen as the strongest candidate during provisional talks earlier this year after Xavi's initial decision, and now appears set to be handed the position this summer.

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