FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez recently found himself out of a job, reportedly due to a disagreement with the board over a list of players he wanted to axe from the team. Xavi had initially planned to step down in June before agreeing to see out his contract until 2025. However, negative comments about the club’s economic situation and its inability to keep up with rivals Real Madrid seemed to have angered the board. Xavi’s firing was confirmed after a meeting with Laporta, even though reports suggest that his comments were not the only factor at play.
According to sources in Catalonia, Xavi and Laporta clashed over a list of players that the coach did not want included in his future sporting project. This list reportedly included Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, Vitor Roque, Oriol Romeu, and Marcos Alonso. Xavi’s decision to omit Lewandowski from recent matches, as well as Felix being demoted to the bench, caused conflict between the manager and the players. Vitor Roque, despite a hefty price tag, has only made a few appearances since joining last summer. Xavi also reportedly wanted replacements for players like Romeu, preferring Joshua Kimmich or Martin Zubimendi, who were financially out of reach for the club.
The situation with Oriol Romeu and Marcos Alonso is also a factor in Xavi’s departure. While Romeu was brought in as a replacement for Sergio Busquets, Xavi reportedly had other players in mind for the position. Alonso, whose contract expires on June 30, was not included in the squad list for a recent match, indicating that he may be leaving the club. Reports suggest that Alonso could be joining Atletico Madrid on a free transfer for the upcoming season. Xavi’s reluctance to include these players in his future plans seems to have contributed to the decision to part ways with the coach.
As Xavi’s tenure at FC Barcelona comes to an end, the tensions over player selections and disagreements with the board have come to light. Despite his legendary status as a player for the club, Xavi’s brief coaching career has been marred by off-field conflicts and controversy. The decision to part ways with the coach has left many fans and analysts speculating on the future of the team and the potential impact of the player changes that Xavi had in mind. With the club facing financial constraints and stiff competition from rivals, the incoming coach will have a difficult task ahead in reshaping the team and restoring its former glory. Xavi’s departure marks the end of an era at FC Barcelona, but the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead will shape the club’s future trajectory.
