Barcelona and Xavi are set to part ways a month after it was announced he would be staying on as head coach.
The former Spain international, 44, had announced in January his intention to leave the club at the end of the season before being persuaded to reverse his decision in April.
But in the latest twist in the saga — and just 30 days after the announcement he would see out his contract until 2025 — the decision has been made for him to leave the club.
Xavi met president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco at the club’s training ground on Friday with the game against Sevilla on Sunday, the final match of the La Liga season, expected to now be his last in charge.
GO DEEPER
Who should replace Xavi as Barcelona coach? Hansi Flick or Rafael Marquez?
Xavi’s contract was valid until summer 2025 and it remains to be seen what happens with the financial cost of Xavi’s and his coaching staff’s exits as well as their salaries.
A month ago, when his resignation was still valid, Xavi accepted to write off his wages for the remainder of his deal.
Laporta had already instructed Deco and his team to start the search for a successor with the current financial state of the club meaning free agent Hansi Flick and second team manager Rafael Marquez are likely to be strong candidates.
Well-placed club sources, who preferred to speak anonymously as they did not have permission to comment, said Flick is Laporta’s preferred candidate, while Deco favours Marquez.
The win over Almeria earlier this month was Xavi’s 100th game in charge. Only Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have better records with the club over that same amount of games.
It was announced Xavi would stay in April (Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images)
Xavi had requested a meeting with Laporta ahead of Sunday’s La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano with speculation mounting over his future, but this did not take place.
Speaking ahead of that game, Xavi said nothing had changed with his position and insisted he still retained the support of Laporta and Deco.
“I can’t add anything new. The club transmits to me tranquility,” he said. “I stay with the same desire to face what’s left for this season and the next one. We have a project planned and nothing changes.”
Asked where the noise over his future was coming from, he replied: “I don’t know who is speaking and I don’t care. What I care about is to have the support of the president, which as far as I know remains untouched, and Deco.
“They tell me nothing has changed. I understand your questions and your job, but that’s what I can say. This is Barcelona, there’s a lot of noise, I get that.”
Barcelona have guaranteed second spot in La Liga before the curtain comes down on the 2023-24 campaign at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Sunday.
(David Ramos/Getty Images)
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
