Barcelona FC sack Xavi as manager, likely to replace him with Hansi Flick

Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona FC's longtime association came to a close on Friday when the club decided to sack him as its manager.

Xavi's last game with Barcelona will be the season's final game on Sunday in Sevilla.

The decision was to be taken after May 26, however, the club's president Joan Laporta met with Xavi, vice-president Rafa Yuste and the club's sporting director Deco at the headquarters and informed Xavi of their decision.

In an official statement, Barcelona wrote, 'FC Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.'

The move comes just weeks after the Spaniard resumed his role as manager in April and was intended to stay the 2025 season with Barcelona.

Barcelona will end the 2024 season without a single trophy in their cabinet.

It is likely that Barcelona will replace Xavi with German Hansi Flick as the coach of the first team.

An official announcement has not been made but several reports including by The Guardian and GOAL.com, state that an agreement has been reached between Flick and the Spanish club for him to take over next season.

Flick has previously coached Bayern Munich and has been without a club since he left Bayern in September 2023.