Barcelona sack Xavi with Flick set to replace him

Xavi will take charge of Barcelona for the final time on Sunday, when they host Sevilla in their last La Liga match of the season.

The 44-year-old, who had been contracted until 2025, was informed of the club's decision during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco on Friday - exactly one month since it was announced that he would remain at the club.

Former Spain midfielder Xavi said in January that he was going leave the Camp Nou, but he was persuaded to stay by Laporta in April.

But recent comments from Xavi, in which he opened up about the club's financial struggles, are said to have angered Laporta.

Barcelona said they would like to "thank Xavi for his work as a coach" since taking charge in 2021.

"It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family," said Xavi in an open letter issued on social media.

"From Sunday I will be just one more Barca fan, in the stands.

"Because before being a player or a coach I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club in my life, which will always have me at its disposal."

The Catalan club said a "new structure" will be confirmed in the coming days, with Flick set to take charge.

Conversations with 59-year-old started at least two months ago and an agreement with the manager has been in place for a while.

He has been out of work since he was sacked by Germany in September 2023.

Flick, who replaced Joachim Low as national boss in 2021, became the first Germany manager to be sacked since the role was created in 1926, winning just 12 of his 25 matches in charge.

Flick's stint with Germany came after he guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, 35, played under Flick at the Allianz Arena for two seasons.

The Catalans are 12 points behind rivals Real Madrid, with one game remaining in the season.

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Paris St-Germain.

Xavi spent 17 years with Barcelona as a player, having emerged from the club's La Masia academy.

After four years' playing for Qatari side Al-Sadd, Xavi retired in 2019 to take over the side as manager.

He remained in Qatar for a further two seasons, before replacing Ronald Koeman in November 2021 as Barcelona boss.

Xavi helped the club to the La Liga title and Spanish Cup during his first full season in charge, earning the side a return to the Champions League.

Sevilla boss Quique Sanchez Flores has criticised Barcelona's treatment of Xavi.

"I shouldn't say this, but how badly Barcelona treats its legends. What a bad streak," Flores told reporters on Friday afternoon.

"With Koeman, with Messi, with Xavi now - how bad. I wish clubs treated their legends well. That would be fantastic. Xavi is a legend of the club."

Flores added he had "doubts the criticism about him [Xavi] is correct".

Barcelona will finish the season second in LaLiga behind champions Real Madrid and Xavi will remain in charge for the game at Sevilla.

During his 141 games as Barcelona boss, Xavi won 89 matches - giving him a 63% win ratio.

-bbc