Xavi agrees compensation fee with Barcelona after contract termination
- Xavi was relieved of his duties earlier this month after public comments frustrated those in charge
- Barcelona prepared to recruit Hansi Flick as replacement for former midfielder
- La Liga side have had to pay to part ways with Xavi
By Tom Gott
Barcelona have paid Xavi €2.5m following the termination of his manager contract, reports have revealed.
Just one month after reversing his decision to step down this summer, Xavi was relieved of his duties after public comments about the club's transfer dealings frustrated president Joan Laporta, who wasted little time in dismissing the former midfielder.
Xavi had one year left on his Barcelona contract and was entitled to around €11m in compensation for his termination, but SPORT have confirmed that the 44-year-old happily agreed to waive his right to a fee.
Instead, Xavi requested that Barcelona reimburse him for the €2.5m he paid to terminate his contract with Al Sadd before his switch to Camp Nou in November 2021, and the club have agreed.
Xavi also demanded that his backroom staff be fully compensated for the termination of their contracts and a full agreement has now been reached.
Barcelona are moving ahead with plans to hire former Germany boss Hansi Flick to replace Xavi, agreeing the terms of a two-year contract with the 59-year-old.
Flick arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday alongside his agent, Pini Zahavi, and reports suggest he could be unveiled as the club's new manager as early as Wednesday.
His contract is believed to be worth less than half of the agreement inked by Xavi. Flick will take home an annual salary of €3m, with a €1m bonus for winning the Champions League and €750,000 bonus for a La Liga title win.
There is not expected to be an immediate press conference to unveil Flick, who instead will take several weeks to familiarise himself with everything going on at Camp Nou before facing the media.
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