Xavi Out, Flick In: Barcelona’s Managerial Shake-Up | OneFootball

Barcelona Sack Xavi as Hansi Flick Prepares to Take Over

Barcelona have announced the dismissal of manager Xavi Hernandez, with former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to step into the role. The club’s decision marks a significant shift as they look to restructure following a challenging season.

Xavi’s Tenure Comes to an End

Xavi, who took the helm at Barcelona in 2021, will oversee his final match on Sunday when the Catalan giants host Sevilla in their last La Liga fixture of the season. Despite being contracted until 2025, the 44-year-old was informed of his departure during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. This meeting came exactly one month after it had been announced that Xavi would remain with the club.

In January, Xavi had signalled his intention to leave the Camp Nou, but he was convinced to stay by Laporta in April. However, recent comments from Xavi regarding the club’s financial difficulties reportedly angered Laporta, leading to the decision to part ways.

Barcelona expressed gratitude towards Xavi for his contributions as coach since his appointment in 2021. Under his guidance, the team clinched the La Liga title and the Spanish Cup during his first full season, marking a successful return to the Champions League.

Flick Set to Bring New Leadership

Hansi Flick, who has been without a managerial position since his dismissal by Germany in September 2023, is poised to take over at Barcelona. Flick’s departure from the national team followed a stint where he won just 12 out of 25 matches, becoming the first Germany manager to be sacked since the role’s inception in 1926.

Photo: IMAGO

Prior to his national team tenure, Flick enjoyed a highly successful period at Bayern Munich, where he led the team to a treble in 2020, capturing the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League titles. His experience and past successes bring a renewed sense of optimism to Barcelona as they look to rebuild.

A Season of Disappointment for Barcelona

Despite securing the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season, Barcelona’s defence of their crown this term has been underwhelming. The team trails 12 points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid, sitting second in the league table with one game left to play. Additionally, their Champions League campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, where they were ousted by Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, who previously played under Flick at Bayern Munich, is likely to play a crucial role under the new manager’s regime. The relationship between Flick and Lewandowski could be pivotal in the transition and future success of the club.