Nearly a month after receiving an extension with FC Barcelona, club president Joan LaPorta, announced that manager Xavi Hernandez would be dismissed following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.
In a statement released by FC Barcelona, a meeting was conducted on Friday at the Cuitat Esportiva Joan Gamper between LaPorta, Hernandez, sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.
The statement read as follows:
"Today Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernández 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 Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre."
"FC Barcelona wishes 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 Hernández will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday's game away to Sevilla.
During the course of the next few days, FC Barcelona will be making an announcement regarding the new first team structure."
During his time at FC Barcelona, Hernandez helped create the team that captured their first La Liga title in four years, the first quarterfinal at the Champions League since the 2019-2020 season, and the 2022-2023 Supercopa de España title in his first season as manager.
Image: Xavi Hernandez celebrates with the team after winning the 2022-2023 La Liga title.
Before Hernandez became manager, he appeared over 700 times as a midfielder and team captain for the club. Some notable moments included captaining the club in the 2014-2015 season, leading to titles for the infamous football treble -- the Champions League, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. Hernandez made his exit after his 767th appearance for the club at the 2015 Champions League final.
This morning, Hernandez took to Instagram, confirming his official dismissal from the club at the end of the season.
"Before I was a player or a coach, I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club in my life, which will always have me at your disposal."
Meanwhile, the club is rumored to have former FC Bayern manager Hansi Flick to replace Hernandez as manager in anticipation of the 2024-2025 season. Flick led the German Club, FC Bayern, to a treble during the 2020 season -- the same year where the infamous 8-2 result against Barcelona took place at the Champions League. He also assisted German national team coach Joachim Löw during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where they emerged victorious at the Maracaña.
As an official statement has yet to be released by FC Barcelona on the plan moving forward, fans all over the world intake the final match Xavi will be present as manager.
The final match of the 2023-2024 season will take place on Sunday, May 26 at the Rámon Sánchez-Pizjuán against Sevilla.
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