Xavi to step down as Barca coach at season end

Xavi Hernández will leave his role as Barcelona coach after Sunday’s final game of the season, the club said in a statement on Friday.

Sources have told ESPN that former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach Hansi Flick is “on course” to replace him.

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta met with Xavi after Friday’s training session to confirm the club’s decision for a change of direction.

The move comes just one month after Xavi and Laporta announced in a joint news conference that the Catalan coach would fulfil his contract, which runs until 2025, despite having previously planned to step down this summer.

“Barcelona president Joan Laporta has communicated to Xavi Hernández that he will not continue as coach for the 2024-25 season,” Barcelona said in a statment.

“The meeting took place at the training ground in the presence of vice president Rafa Yuste, sporting directors Deco and Xavi’s assistants, Óscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre.

“Barcelona want to thank Xavi for his work as coach, which adds to his unmatchable career as a player and the captain of the first team, and wish him all the best in the future.

“Xavi will take charge of Sunday’s game against Sevilla in what will be his final match as coach.

“In the coming days, Barcelona will reveal the new coaching structure for the first team staff.”