Update — May 24th, 9:45AM EDT: Xavi officially sacked, Flick expected to be named shortly
Per a release from its website, FC Barcelona has officially parted ways with head coach Xavi:
Today Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernández that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season.
The meeting happened at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and was also attended by sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, director of sport Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, Xavi, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.
FC Barcelona wishes to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world.
Xavi Hernández will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla.
During the course of the next few days, FC Barcelona will be making an announcement regarding the new first team structure.
As expected, Hansi Flick is now the favorite for the gig and Fabrizio Romano has given Flick his famous, “Here we go!” treatment:
Hansi Flick becomes new Barcelona head coach, confirmed and here we go!
The agreement has been completed, worked and now approved by his agent Pini Zahavi on a two year deal.
Contract until 2026.
Understand Flick will bring two German assistants as part of his staff. pic.twitter.com/p702Gu2nWT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 24, 2024
Sky Sport journo Florian Plettenberg also confirmed the news:
According to a string of reports from Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg, former Bayern Munich and German national team manager Hansi Flick is on the verge of making the move to FC Barcelona:
News #Flick | Understand that Deco and Joan Laporta, both are keen on Flick to become the new coach of @FCBarcelona! … in case #Xavi does leave the club. A departure is likely. A decision is expected on Sunday or Monday.
Flick, ready to take over at #FCBarcelona! Verbal agreement between Flick and the club is done as revealed yesterday ✔️
@SkySportDE
After that, things appeared to heat up a bit more between Flick and the Catalans per Plettenberg:
Exclusive News #Flick | He is on the verge to become the new coach of FC Barcelona next season!
Now, Barcelona have informed Flick about the decision to make him the new coach ✔️
Xavi on the the verge to leave Barcelona. Last match on Sunday.
@SkySportDE
As we have found out several times during Bayern Munich’s own hiring process, though, nothing is certain until the ink has dried on the paperwork. Stay tuned…
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Bayern Munich’s potential hiring of Vincent Kompany, plus the latest transfer rumors involving Bayern and VfB Stuttgart’s Chris Führich, AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez, and…Jamal Musiala? We have you covered with our latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show, which is available on Spotify or below: