“It caused me to rethink” — Laporta on what Xavi did to force sack

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has shed light on the reasons behind the dismissal of Xavi Hernandez as the club’s manager. Despite efforts to retain him until the last week of April, the decision came after Xavi’s remarks on the club’s financial challenges and their impact on competing with rivals Real Madrid.

Xavi Hernandez, who himself stands a Spain and Barcelona legend, was let go within a month after his comments did not sit well with Laporta. The president revealed his reasoning on ‘The President’s Podcast’ on Barça One, stating that Xavi’s changing stance on the team’s prospects led to the decision.

“Xavi told me that he trusted this team, but then some of his statements looked like he changed his speech,” Laporta explained. “It caused me to rethink, and I had the feeling that I had to make a change, a feeling that was also shared by the board.”

The unexpected departure of Xavi, a figure deeply ingrained in the club’s history, marks a significant shift for Barcelona. Laporta’s choice to replace him with Hansi Flick signals a new direction as the club navigates its financial and competitive landscape.

Xavi’s tenure as manager was marked by attempts to rebuild and steer Barcelona through a period of financial instability. His comments highlighting these issues, however, ultimately led to his departure as the club sought a unified front to face their challenges.