Hansi Flick set to become new Barcelona manager after Xavi sacked

Barcelona are set to replace Xavi with Hansi Flick after a surprise turn of events led to the dismissal of their club legend coach.

Xavi had only recently made a U-turn on his commitment to quit the Camp Nou this summer after his third season in charge.

Having won the 2022-23 LaLiga title, the former midfielder appeared set to renew vows with club president Joan Laporta only for his criticism of Barcelona’s fragile finances to prompt a furious rethink by Laporta, according to reports in Spain.

On Friday, a club statement read: “Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernandez that he will not be continuing as first-team coach in the 2024-25 season.

“The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Oscar Hernandez and Sergio Alegre.

“Barcelona wish to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world.

“Xavi Hernandez will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday's game away to Sevilla.”

Flick, 59, was sacked as manager of the German national team in September for winning fewer than half of his games in charge.

He had previously won the Bundesliga and Champions League as Bayern Munich boss having served as assistant manager to Joachim Low in Germany’s World Cup-winning campaign of 2010.