Barcelona Pecat Xavi, Hansi Flick Ready To Replace

Xavi Hernandez, left after three years of leading Barcelona (photo: x @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona have sacked their head coach, Xavi Hernandez, after three years of leading the Catalan club. Now former Bayern Munich boss and Germany national team Hansi Flick are ready to replace him.

The 44-year-old Spaniard is still leading Barcelona in the last game of the season against Sevilla on Sunday, May 2, before leaving the club. The decision to fire Xavi came a month after Barcelona failed to persuade him to remain manager after the former midfielder originally planned to leave at the end of this season.

According to Sky in Germany, Barcelona has reached an oral agreement with Flick to become a coach. The Spanish club plans to make an announcement regarding Xavi's successor in the coming days.

In a statement, the Catalan club stated, "FC Barcelona thanks Xavi for his job as a coach, as well as his unmatched career as a team player and captain, and hopes for future success."

Xavi will leave Barcelona when the club is in second place in the La Liga standings, but they will enter their final day of the season with a difference of 12 points behind Real Madrid champions. Xavi also brought Catalans to the Champions League quarter-finals but lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

Overall, Xavi won the LaLiga title in 2023 and also won the Spanish Super Cup a few months later.

Xavi: It's Not Easy To Leave The Club As Long As You

In an open letter published on social media, Xavi admits it is difficult to leave the club but insists that he is proud to help prepare the way for the club's future stars despite a difficult season.

"It's never easy to leave the club your whole life, but I'm very proud after two and a half years leading the dressing room that has been the second family," wrote Xavi.

"Starting Sunday, I will be another fan of the stands... Because before becoming a player or coach, I was a Barcelona fan and I just wanted the best for the club in my life, who would always be ready to take care of me," he said.

"This season didn't go as planned, but we have tried and helped the growth of a new generation of young players from La Masia who inspired all Barcelona fans... I wish the best for the club I love so much," he added.

Sevilla manager

Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who will also leave the club after Sunday's match against Barcelona. Flores criticized the Catalan club for having a "bad record" in keeping their legend at the club.

Flores refers to the way Lionel Messi and Ronald Koeman have left Barcelona in recent years as another example of how bad Barcelona are treating their key figures.

"Xavi is a coach who cares a lot about the club. He has experienced a lot of things as a player and has done a good job as a coach," said the former Watford manager. "I'll give you a big hug, we'll talk."

"I shouldn't say this, but how bad Barcelona treat their legend. Koeman, Messi, with Xavi now... how bad this record is. I hope the club appreciates their legend. That's very important," Flores said.

Other European Top Clubs Fire Their Managers

Barcelona is the latest European top club to fire their manager at the end of the season.

In the Premier League, Chelsea are looking for a new coach after sacking Mauricio Pochettino this week. There are also serious doubts about Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United, which has recorded the lowest position in their history in the UK's top league this season.

Brighton also parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi earlier this month although the Italian coach managed to bring the club into their first European competition of the season.

Bayern Munich is another top club looking for a new manager after not extending Thomas Tuchel's contract in January. Burnley's manager Vincent Kompany is currently a candidate for the German club's choice.

AC Milan announced that manager Stefano Pioli will leave the club, where former AS Roma boss Paulo Fonseca is the leading candidate to replace him.

Juventus also sacked Massimiliano Allegri last week after the Italian manager's behavior following Coppa Italia's victory over Atalanta. He will be replaced by Thiago Motta, who will leave Bologna in third next week.

Ajax also replaces interim manager John van't Schip with Nice manager Francesco Farioli, who has left the French club.