Barcelona SACKS Xavi Hernandez, With Hansi Flick Set To Become The New Manager.

Barcelona have announced the departure of Xavi Hernandez after three years as manager of the club, with Hansi Flick poised to take over.

The Spanish club say they plan to make an announcement regarding Xavi's replacement over the next few days.

On Friday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta  informed Xavi 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, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.

Barcelona’s chief appointed Xavi in November 2021 to replace Ronald Koeman, aiming to raise the club back to its pedestal after years of struggle in Europe following their 2015 Champions League triumph.

The decision to sack Xavi comes a month after Barcelona convinced him to stay on as manager, the Spaniard had earlier announced on January 27, 2024 of his desire to leave the club at the end of the season, describing the role as “cruel, unpleasant and mentally draining”.

He later reversed his decision on April 24, 2024, he and president Laporta agreed the coach would stay for the next campaign, with his contract expiring in June 2025.

However, the situation quickly changed with Spanish media reporting Laporta was angered by Xavi’s comments suggesting it was hard for the financially-hamstrung club to compete with Real Madrid and other elite European sides.

Though, the 44-year-old is currently leading training, and will take charge of Barcelona's final game of the season against Sevilla on Sunday before finally exiting the club.

Xavi guided Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2023, and lifted the Spanish Cup a few months later in his first full season in charge, earning the side a return to the Champions League.

The Catalan club will finish the season trophyless, they are second in LaLiga, 12 points behind champions Real Madrid.

Xavi's men were hammered by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey, and got eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals this season.

During his 141 games as Barcelona boss, Xavi won 89 matches - giving him a 63% win ratio.

As a player Xavi made 767 appearances for the Catalan club, behind only Lionel Messi, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues among other trophies.

A statement from the Catalan club read: "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's dismissal would cost approximately 20 million euros (between his conditions and those of all his staff).

According to reports, Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Hansi Flick to become the new manager. Agreement has been completed, worked and now approved by his agent Pini Zahavi on a two year deal until 2026.

The 59-year-old Flick will bring two German assistants as part of his coaching staff.

Flick has not coached since Germany sacked him in 2023 after a poor run of results.

He had previously won the treble in 2020, including an 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.