Barcelona is heading to dismiss its coach, Xavi Hernandez, weeks after his dramatic decision to retract his intention to leave at the end of the current season, according to what Spanish media revealed on Friday.
Catalan radio “RAC 1” said that club president Joan Laporta had decided to dismiss Xavi, while the daily newspaper Sport confirmed the same news. As for the newspaper “AS”, it indicated that Barcelona began searching for a new coach.
Xavi had announced in January that he would leave the club at the end of the season, but after a series of strong performances, in April and Laporta reached an agreement to stay until the end of next season, as his contract expires in June 2025.
He was angry at Xavi’s statements
But in a new development, Laporta did not travel with the team to face Almeria, which ended with a 2-0 victory for Blaugrana in the Spanish League on Thursday, due to his anger at Xavi’s statements before the match, according to these reports.
Xavi spoke about the financial difficulties facing the club compared to the strength of its most prominent competitor and rival, Real Madrid, and some of the largest European clubs in terms of capabilities.
“Barcelona fans must understand that we are not in the same situation (as these clubs),” Xavi said on Wednesday.
The coach stuck to his words on Thursday when asked about Laporta not attending the Almeria match.
“They didn’t tell me anything personally… We traveled with the vice president and several managers, all normally,” Xavi told reporters late on Thursday.
He continued, “I said what I believe is true, that we will fight for all titles, with a lot of hope and ambition, but the situation is not easy.”
He added, “We are working very well, and most of all, it is the club to change this situation.”
Barcelona won the league title last season, but failed to defend it this season. It was also eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, leaving the season empty-handed.
Barcelona also suffered a crushing loss at the hands of Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, before being eliminated from the cup by Athletic Bilbao.
In April, Xavi (44 years old) said that he was “full of hope” and that the fans, the players and “above all the confidence of the president and sporting director Deco” were among the most important reasons to convince him to stay.
Laporta said that he is pleased that Xavi is staying at the club and that it is good news for the stability of the team.
ظهرت في الأصل على www.alhurra.com