Barcelona have reportedly rescinded their decision to continue their relationship with manager Xavi Hernandez.
President Joan Laporta has apparently made a decision to fire the Spaniard at the end of the season, based on reports emanating from Spain.
Reports emerged on Wednesday, May 18, 2024, that the comments of Xavi in his pre-match presser had infuriated Laporta, amid pressure from other members of his board to dismiss him.
Joan Laporta didn’t like the assertions of Xavi Hernandez, expressing that it would be difficult to compete with Real Madrid.
Xavi On The Signing of Vitor Roque
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner also shared that Barcelona had not planned to bring Vitor Roque in January 2024.
The feeling is that Xavi has gone against the pacts made when the duo met to decide on furthering their relationship till the end of the 2024/25 season.
Conflicting reports have come forth ever since the statements made by Xavi Hernandez, with some indicating that he will be fired at the end of the season, while others claim that there will be no action taken against the ex-Al Sadd boss.
The Spaniard’s future continues to hang in the balance, having initially agreed in January 2024 to depart the club at the end of the campaign.
Xavi agreed to exit the Catalan giants at the end of the campaign without requesting for the remainder of his contract to be paid.
Barcelona would be paying above €10 million to Xavi Hernandez and his staff if they had fired him contractually, as he had a year left on his deal and they would have to settle his severance package.
This will obviously have a big blow on the financial state of the club, given their financially handicapped status.
It will also affect their hunt for a new manager, as their institutional instability will make the club unattractive to any manager, who would be disinterested in the job due to the ordeals of his colleague.
However, reports indicate that ex-Bayern Munich and Germany boss, Hansi Flick, is being tipped as the next manager of Barcelona.
Flick’s brilliance in Bavaria has supposedly made him a top target for the Blaugrana side, but it is uncertain if the German is interested in the job.
Xavi Hernandez As Manager Of Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez led Barcelona to the Spanish La Liga and Supercopa de España title last season.
He also guided the Spanish side to the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, albeit crashing out following a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint Germain.
Xavi has in recent months been linked with the managerial job at Manchester United, and in the eventuality that he exits Barcelona, it will be interesting to see if he will be heading to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Catalan giants picked up a 0-2 away win over Almeria, courtesy of a brace from Fermin Lopez.
Xavi Hernandez’s side will end the season trophyless but will aim to better their fortunes next campaign.
