Catalan radio station RAC-1 announced that president Joan Laporta had made the decision to dismiss Xavi, with daily newspaper Sport corroborating the news. AS reported that Barcelona were already considering replacements for the coach.
In January, Xavi stated he would leave at the end of the season, but after a strong run of form, he and Laporta agreed in April that he would stay for the next campaign, with his contract set to expire in June 2025. However, Laporta did not travel with the team for their 2-0 win at Almeria in La Liga on Thursday, with Spanish media suggesting he was upset with Xavi’s pre-match comments.
Xavi had highlighted Barcelona’s financial difficulties compared to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European giants. “Barcelona fans have to understand, we’re not in the same situation as those clubs,” Xavi said on Wednesday.
The coach reiterated his stance on Thursday when asked about Laporta’s absence from the Almeria match. “They haven’t told me anything personally… We traveled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally,” Xavi said late Thursday. “I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy. We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”
Barcelona won La Liga last season but failed to defend the title. They were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain and will end the season without a trophy. Real Madrid thrashed Barca in the Spanish Super Cup final, and Athletic Bilbao eliminated them from the Copa del Rey.
