Barcelona President Joan Laporta revealed the reasons behind firing Xavi Hernandez as club coach. Xavi initially announced in January 2024 that he was resigning from Barcelona at the end of the season. However, Xavi then reversed his decision in April 2024. However, only three weeks later, Laporta then fired him.
“If Xavi can change his mind, so can we,” said Laporta in an interview with Barça One, the Catalan club’s internal television channel, Wednesday (5/6/2024). “Everything was a bit forced when we decided to keep him. Xavi is a club legend, his enthusiasm led us to the decision to ratify his position,” said Laporta.
Laporta revealed that Xavi’s unclear attitude regarding the Barcelona squad was the reason for his dismissal. “At the moment he ‘turned around’, I asked him: ‘Do you believe in the team?’ He told me, ‘Yes.’ “He admitted that he had confidence in this team,” he said.
“However, then there were comments when he changed his statement after speaking with (Sporting Director) Deco regarding the changes needed to the squad,” he said. “It forced me to reconsider the situation and I feel the squad needs a new impetus to be more competitive and get the best from what we have,” said Laporta.
Laporta stated that it was a difficult decision, especially since Xavi is a Barcelona legend. “I had to make a difficult decision with the Barca legends. My heart said that he had to stay, but not my mind,” he said. “I hope our relationship can continue. I have been through it with Ronald Koeman, Lionel Messi, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and now Xavi. All decisions are made for the common good, good for Barca, the club comes first,” he said.
After firing Xavi, Laporta then appointed Hansi Flick as Barcelona’s new coach. The German coach signed a contract with Barcelona for two seasons until June 30 2026. Flick signed the contract accompanied by the President of Barcelona, Joan Laporta. “By bringing in Hansi Flick as coach, FC Barcelona has chosen a man who is famous for his team’s very pressing, intense and brave playing style,” Barcelona wrote on the club’s official website.
