In a surprising twist, Barcelona is reportedly on the verge of sacking coach Xavi Hernandez, just weeks after he reversed his decision to leave the club.
The news, first reported by Catalan radio station RAC-1 and confirmed by the daily newspaper Sport, has sent shockwaves through the football community.
Spanish sports daily AS also suggested that Barcelona’s management is already considering potential replacements for Xavi.
The backdrop to this development is a dramatic one. In January, Xavi announced his intention to depart at the end of the season.
However, a successful run of form led to a change of heart in April, when he and club president Joan Laporta reached an agreement for Xavi to stay on for the next campaign.
Xavi’s contract was set to expire in June 2025, indicating a commitment to long-term stability.
Despite this, tensions have apparently been simmering beneath the surface. Laporta’s absence from the team’s 2-0 victory over Almeria in La Liga on Thursday was notable, especially as Spanish media reported that he was angered by Xavi’s pre-match comments.
The coach had candidly highlighted Barcelona’s financial struggles, contrasting them with the financial muscle of new Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European heavyweights.
“Barcelona fans have to understand, we’re not in the same situation as those clubs,” Xavi remarked on Wednesday, a statement he stood by the following day.
When questioned about Laporta’s no-show at the Almeria match, Xavi maintained that nothing had been communicated to him directly and that the team had traveled with the sporting vice president and other directors as usual.
“I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy.
We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation,” Xavi asserted.
This season has been a tumultuous one for Barcelona. Despite winning La Liga last year, they have not been able to defend their title.
Their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, and they are set to finish the season without any silverware.
Real Madrid handed them a crushing defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final, and Athletic Bilbao knocked them out of the Copa del Rey.
Xavi, 44, expressed optimism as recently as April, stating he was “full of hope” and that the support of the fans, players, and particularly the confidence of President Laporta and sporting director Deco, was instrumental in his decision to stay.
Laporta, at that time, had also expressed his satisfaction with Xavi’s continued tenure, emphasizing the need for stability as the team, which includes many young talents, continues to develop.
“It’s great news that Xavi is staying,” Laporta had said at a press conference. “The team we have, that is (still) consolidating, with very young players, needs that stability.
Xavi is a reference for young players and we can see that — today I’m especially pleased, and the board has unanimously supported this decision.”
Xavi, one of Barcelona’s most illustrious players, was appointed by Laporta to replace Ronald Koeman in November 2021.
His legacy as a player is legendary, with 767 appearances for the club, four Champions League titles, eight La Liga championships, and a World Cup win with Spain.
As a coach, he led Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga title last season.
The potential sacking of Xavi reflects the intense pressures and high expectations at a club like Barcelona, where success is measured in trophies and consistent performance.
This unfolding situation underscores the volatility of football management and the delicate balance between maintaining a club’s legacy and navigating its present challenges.
As the football world watches closely, the decisions made in the coming days will be crucial for Barcelona’s future trajectory.
