La Liga manager takes aim over Xavi Hernandez sacking – ‘How poorly Barcelona treat their legends’ | OneFootball

Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores has criticised Barcelona’s handling of Xavi Hernandez’s dismissal, within an hour of the news being confirmed by the club. While not an uncommon opinion, it is startling to hear it from a fellow professional in the game.

Sanchez Flores was speaking to the media ahead of their final game, as they host the Blaugrana, in what will be Xavi’s final game in charge. A month ago to the day, Xavi’s position was confirmed by Vice-President Rafa Yuste, but Xavi was told by President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco, who sat smiling beside him just weeks ago, that it was over.

“I shouldn’t say it, but how badly Barcelona treat their legends. It’s a bad run, a bad run,” Sanchez Flores said with surprise.

“With Koeman, with Messi, with Xavi now. If only clubs treated their legends fantasticly well, it’d be fantastic. Because they connect, the directors, the fans, treating them well connects with them. ”

No doubt Laporta’s track record in his second mandate has seen a number of painful departures, and arguably Xavi’s exit has been handled worse than any of them.

It should not be lost that Sevilla recently had their own uncomfortable situation, as Jesus Navas announced his exit, noting that the club had not offered him a new deal. Less than a day later, the club presented him an offer, amid uproar from the support, and he will now retire at the club at the end of 2024.