The coach inquired if his dismissal had already been decided, prompting Laporta to visit him at the Ciutat Esportiva for a meeting.
The primary reason given for Xavi’s dismissal was the perception that he did not trust the current squad.
Xavi responded by affirming his trust in the squad but stated that he believed changes were necessary to enhance performance.
Xavi Hernández is aware that he will not continue at Barça. President Laporta dismissed the coach this morning. The situation escalated after Xavi came across various reports suggesting Hansi Flick had been selected as his replacement and that an announcement was imminent. Xavi then sent a direct message to the president, asking, “President, has everything been decided?”
In response, President Laporta visited the Ciutat Esportiva, where Xavi was overseeing the training session, to speak with him. He also requested that the sports vice president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Deco, join him.
After the training session ended, Xavi was called to an office where Laporta, Yuste, and Deco were waiting for him. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism. The club indicated that it was easier to change the coach than to offload several players due to the club’s financial situation, leading to the decision to part ways with Xavi.
Xavi responded that while he trusted the squad, he also believed that changes were necessary to improve performance.
The topic of Xavi’s termination, with one year remaining on his contract, was not raised by either the club or Xavi during the meeting. This matter will be addressed in the coming days by Xavi’s agent, Fernando Solanas. Enric Masip and Joan Soler, members of the sports commission, were present at the Ciutat Esportiva but did not participate in the meeting, nor did former manager Alejandro Echevarría, Laporta’s brother-in-law and a trusted confidant.
Club sources indicate that the president has recently lost confidence.
These sources report that during a meeting at his home, Laporta asked Xavi a pointed question: “why do you want to continue?”
Xavi replied that he was motivated, believed in the team, and thought significant progress could be made next season, provided some changes were made within the financial constraints.
However, in subsequent meetings, Xavi’s demands for player changes increased, which the president felt contradicted his earlier statements.
As a result, the club now states that they need a coach who truly believes in the project.
