FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed gratitude towards Xavi Hernandez for his contributions to the club as a manager.
However, he also defended the decision to remove Xavi from his managerial role, citing the club’s need for a different direction and a fresh perspective.
“I would like to say thanks to Xavi. He took the team at a very difficult time, won a historic league and a Super Cup and has left behind a series of young players who will win many trophies in the future,” Laporta said.
“We made a decision because we needed a new impetus and we opted for a valuable, responsible coach.” Laporta added.
Xavi announced he would leave the club at the end of the 2023-2024 season. This decision was made following a 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal, which left Barcelona 10 points behind the league leaders, Real Madrid.
The Spaniard expressed that the decision about his resignation had been made for a long time, citing that their work was not valued enough, and that he felt mistreated at the club.
He also mentioned that the economic issue at Barcelona was a factor in his decision to leave.
His decision to leave Barcelona comes after leading the team to the La Liga title in his first full season in charge in 2022-2023.
“I said what I think, the economic situation is not the best and we are all working very well to improve the situation. We will fight to get titles, nothing changes.” Xavi said.
Hansi Flick, the former Germany national team manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of FC Barcelona.
Flick signed a two-year contract with the La Liga club, replacing Xavi. This marks Flick’s return to coaching after being out of work since his dismissal by Germany in September 2023.
