It will be all change at FC Barcelona this summer, as club officials revealed before their final La Liga game of the season that Xavi Hernandez would be departing the club. It has been a strange turn of events in Catalonia, as bosses had pleaded with the coach to stay in his role after his departure was teased earlier in the season.
However, Xavi’s comments about the club’s financial situation led to fresh questions surround his future, leading to Joan Laporta to announce that there would be a change in management in 2024-25.
Former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick will take over the reins over the summer months as preparations for the new campaign get underway.
Xavi Leaves Barcelona
Xavi revealed that it was with a heavy heart that he would be parting the club in the summer. He enjoyed a stellar playing career at the Nou Camp, staying for 17 years before departing for Saudi Arabia in 2015. Xavi won eight domestic titles during his playing career, and the four Champions League honours. However, he returned to the club in a coaching role in 2021.
After a testing first half season in charge of the team, the 44-year-old was able to get the best out of his side in the 2022-23 season, leading Barcelona to a Supercopa success, before regaining the La Liga title. However, Barcelona’s title defence this season has fallen short of the standard required, as they finished ten points behind Real Madrid.
Flick Takes On Huge Challenge
Hansi Flick will be tasked with getting Barcelona back to the top of both the Spanish and European game from next season. The coach endured a terrible time over recent years with the German national team, as he was sacked eight months ago following a disastrous World Cup campaign, which saw the team eliminated in the group stage.
However, Flick boasts excellent pedigree as a club manager, having won the treble with Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 season. Flick was in charge of the team that inflicted an embarrassing 8-2 defeat on Barcelona in the Champions League. During his time with Bayern, Flick would lead the team to two Bundesliga titles, as well as the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the Supercup.
Getting The Best Out Of Lewandowski
Club officials revealed that Flick was the standout candidate to replace Xavi due to his emphasis on high-pressing football within the European game. It would also not be lost on fans that the incoming Barcelona boss has an excellent working relationship with Robert Lewandowski.
The striker was a key player in Bayern’s treble-winning campaign in 2020, and he will likely be at the forefront of Flick’s plans moving into this new generation. The German has signed a two-year deal to coach Barcelona, but he will likely need to get off to a quick start to enhance his chances of seeing out that period in 2024-25.
